REAL REPENTANCE
Today's reading: Leviticus 4-6

"²⁷ “If any of the common people sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but they don’t realize it, they are still guilty. ²⁸ When they become aware of their sin, they must bring as an offering for their sin a female goat with no defects. ²⁹ They must lay a hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered. ³⁰ Then the priest will dip his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar for burnt offerings. He will pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. ³¹ Then he must remove all the goat’s fat, just as he does with the fat of the peace offering. He will burn the fat on the altar, and it will be a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Through this process, the priest will purify the people, making them right with the Lord, and they will be forgiven." Leviticus 4:27-31 NLT

I'm bothered this morning by what I've read.

Not the details of it.

Not the cruelty of it.

Not the, what we now see, as the archaic style of it.

I'm bothered by the lack of effort, intensity and participation I put into repenting of my own sins.

Would I be less likely to repeat sins if I had to go through the process described above?

Would I be more apt to stay away from sin and its consequences if I knew I must perform all the duties listed in today's reading?

Might I take the severity of my sins more solemnly if I had to perform the rituals needed to have my sins forgiven?

Would there be more of an impact, a life-changing impact, made when I turned from sin in the manner described? Before the priest? Before the congregation?

I'm afraid I make light of Jesus' sacrifice for me. I don't always value what He paid for my forgiveness. I take very much for granted the salvation He bought for me. I easily throw out an 'I'm sorry, Lord' and go on my way. I tend to like the cleaner, easier, quieter, more private way of dealing with my sins.

But friends, there is blood on my hands--His.