The Message

The Message Text: Leviticus 18:1-5NLT

Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. I am the Lord your God. 3 So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. 4 You must obey all my regulations and be careful to obey my decrees, for I am the Lord your God. 5 If you obey my decrees and my regulations, you will find life through them. I am the Lord.

The message hasn’t changed, His love is for real. This chapter in Leviticus is about all wrong relationships and forbidden sex.

In these 5 verses of scripture, God confirms He is their God 3 times. Also, God longs for His people to pursue holiness in their daily lives. ( It’s the key to life and peace.)

In the OT, holiness could only be accomplished through a persons works, and by following rules, regulations and decrees. However, this lifestyle becomes taxing on the body- physically and emotionally. (Dread of another day sets in.)

Paul in his writings, show God’s people another way. He gives every believer a wonderful contrast between the way of faith, and the way of the law.

Listen to Galatians 3:12-14NLT This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.” 13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

Hear verse 12a once more, This way of faith is very different from the way of law, (Faith is all about trust, confidence, and assurance that works have been satisfied.) Debt paid in full!

Remember, the law teaches, don’t handle this, and don’t do that, work hard and follow, don’t turn here, don’t give in, wash this, and wait for evening until... on and on it goes.

Faith teaches, acceptance, forgivness, love, prayer and grace. Look unto Jesus Christ and your faith will grow. Again, Gal. 3:14 say’s, Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

Romans 12:1-2NLT And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Listen again to Leviticus 18:2b-3NLT I am the Lord your God. 3 So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life.

So do not act like, Egypt. Don’t look back, don’t trust in Pharaoh, don’t live in bondage, don’t stay limited to what man gives you, Egypt, placed trust in magic, sorcery and idols. God say’s, “Don’t go back!”

Then God say’s, Don’t live like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you.You must not imitate their way of life. The gods of sex, and lust live around every corner. God’s of gold, and gods of pleasure will pervert your ways.

Hebrews 12:2NLT We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Keeping your eyes on Jesus Christ and staying focused on Him. [ When He was on the cross, you were on His mind].

While on the cross, 1. He thought, “I’m doing this for them.” 2. He thought, “I want them free.” 3. He thought, “I’m giving them life, love and peace.” (Now they’ll understand.)

Leviticus 18:5NLT If you obey my decrees and my regulations, you will find life through them. I am the Lord.

Did they find life through them?

However Jesus gives us the key to life in Luke 10:28 Love the Lord and love your neighbor- do this and live.