"Have You Heard" Newspaper Articles Posted with the Permission of the Streetsboro Church of Christ.
Last week we talked about sin. We learned what sin is
(disobeying God) and we discussed its consequences (separation from God).
Everyone who is old enough to know right from wrong has sinned;
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and
the truth is not in us.
(1
John 1:8).
That poses a problem for us. The infinite justice of God cannot tolerate sin. His justice demands that atonement be made for our wrongs. Under the Old Testament Law, they were commanded to offer animal sacrifices for their sins on a daily basis. Then, once a year, the High Priest would enter into the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle after he had offered a sacrifice for himself and the people. The only problem is that the sacrifice of these animals did not take away their sins.
For the law, having a shadow of the good things to
come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same
sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach
perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers,
once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those
sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that
the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
(Hebrews 10:1-4).
But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to
come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is,
not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own
blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal
redemption.
(Hebrews
9:11-12).
Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible
things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition
from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without
blemish and without spot.
(1
Peter 1:18-19).
-- Ralph Price --
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