Be Blessed by Embracing God’s Values and Relating with Him through the Lord’s Atonement
TRUTH AND PURPOSE
Isaiah proclaims Messiah’s mission of promise with a clear, succinct word: “to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom to the captives, to let out into light those bound in the dark…” (Isaiah 61:1 CJB). Messiah Jesus proclaims fulfillment of this promise in Luke 4:18.
So, on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, we look back to the one day of the year when the high priest would go into the tabernacle, behind the veil, into the Holy of Holies to atone for the sin of the people. On the Mercy Seat covering the Ark of the Covenant, the priest would sprinkle the blood of the covenant sacrifice. From within the cloud of God’s glory over the ark, God would see the sacrificial blood as evidence of man’s atonement of sin, reversing God’s judgment to mercy.
The Day of Atonement, however, now provides an opportunity to look up to God and ahead in life. How so? Our Heavenly Father sees the sacrificial blood of His Son, Messiah Jesus, crying out, FORGIVEN AND REDEEMED! Therefore, as we receive the pour of the love of God, our heart comes into new measures of conviction, appreciating and being convinced of the LORD’s grace, forgiveness, redemption and refreshing! So we can likewise walk in new dimensions of the liberty of the Spirit– experiencing the new life of the Spirit!
RELEVANCE
Messiah’s sacrificial blood was poured out once and for all reversing God’s judgment of sin. As much as we need to allow the Holy Spirit to convict our heart of sin, we also need to be convinced of His greater grace and allow our heart to receive the immensity of Father’s love and active refreshing work of the Holy Spirit.
So as we receive God’s love and forgiveness purchased with the Lord’s blood, we can easily forgive others. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)
Therefore, as we value the Lord’s sacrifice and His forgiveness, we are able to cast off condemnation. As a result, we allow the Holy Spirit to fill and refresh our heart. Such liberty enables us to walk free from guilt. In addition, through conviction of heart, we are empowered to express the love and compassion of Messiah to set others free from our judgment.
So as we take the “log” out of our eye (Matthew 7:4) God cleans our eye and clears and strengthens our vision. Consequently, we see with His open vision– through eyes of love– or chesed– lovingkindness.
In addition, living free from the guilt of sin and judgment truly transfers us into a new realm. For, when you receive the liberty of the Spirit, you are transferred from the realm of the guilt and condemnation of sin to the realm of freedom in the Spirit.
We often, however, find it difficult to shake off guilt. Therefore, we find encouragement and hope in Messiah Jesus. Allow your heart to embrace Paul’s exhortation.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. (Romans 8:1-2 NLT)
Free from guilt and condemnation, it is certainly easier to walk in God’s love and have compassion towards others. The Lord had compassion on the multitudes because He saw them as sheep not having a shepherd. He saw people needing a touch of Father’s love. He loved those who were difficult to love; those who didn’t know what it was like to be genuinely loved. He loved those who had a hard time receiving love.
Wherever you are, need to be loved or show greater love towards others, ask the Lord for a pour of His love through the Holy Spirit. As a result, He will reveal His love to you in a greater way than you have ever known. In addition, He will place you where you can experience the giving and receiving of His love. In this we are most able to carry out our assignment of the GREAT COMMISSION!
REFLECT AND RELATE
Have you fully received the love of the Father? Would you like to?
How well do you know and receive the mercy of the LORD daily?
Would you like to fully receive the Holy Spirit’s comfort?
Do you think there might be things preventing you from freely extending God’s love to others—even difficult people?
How do you think the Holy Spirit might help you extend mercy and grace to others?
REFERENCES
1 John 4:16; Psalm 19:7-14; 27; 136; Hebrews 6:13-20; Romans 5:1-5
NEXT STEPS
Vertical movement: So in seeing the big picture of His atonement and the values we receive thereof, we truly see the One who revealed– and is– the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Horizontal movement: As we appreciate the Lord’s love and work in our life, we more fully appreciate the value of compassion so we can have more compassion on others. As a result, this brings us to a greater sense of peace, completion, and state of contentment. We also come to realize the greater values and benefits of a community of faith.
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