A substitute sacrifice for our sins

We were invited to spend spring break this year with family who live at the southern Gulf Coast of Texas. We had a great time, even stopping on the way there and back to visit with various other dear friends and family (also dear to us), but that’s not related to this article.

To spend as much time as possible and be there for church on Sunday morning, we left early on Friday, March 17. Those, like us, of Irish descent, and probably many others recognize March 17 as St. Patrick’s Day, which we’re supposed to celebrate by eating corned beef and cabbage.

Knowing the situation and that we wouldn’t eat corned beef and cabbage for breakfast before leaving, I “scouted” the Internet for restaurant along our route that might serve it but found none.

So, when we stopped for Friday night, we picked a quaint, sort of hamburger joint for dinner. As Providence would have it, the menu included a good-looking Reuben sandwich. Although an American food, Reuben sandwiches are made with corned beef and sauerkraut, which is cabbage. So, we felt somewhat complete in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, although it was based on a substitution.

When it comes to God (Providence), substitutes are rarely accepted. In the Old Testament, which was given for our instruction under the new covenant (Testament), God was very clear in his religious and civil laws and required complete obedience (Leviticus 27:9-12; 32-34; Romans 15: 9; 1 Corinthians 10:1-11).

Claiming obedience to God on his own terms caused King Saul to lose his throne (1 Samuel 15:1-35). This passage doesn’t imply that God doesn’t expect sacrifices and offerings, just that they must be offered on his terms (Leviticus chapters 1 to 7, 21 to 24, and 27; Malachi 1:6-14; 3:16-18).

Even if we’ve done things we know God wants us to do, if we don’t do them for the right reason (love for him) or we leave some of his commands undone, he won’t accept our good deeds as sacrifices and offerings (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Hebrews 6:7-12; Revelation 14:13; Luke 11:42; Matthew 5:20; 7:21-27; James 2:10; 4:17). This doesn’t mean God is unforgivingly hardcore; just that he holds us to his terms, which include seeking forgiveness when we transgress, even when we’re trying to obey him, and showing the same forgiveness to others when they sin against us (2 Samuel 12:13; 1 John 1:5-9; Matthew 6:9-15).

Forgiveness is where the only substitution God will accept comes in: Because the blood from animal sacrifices couldn’t atone for our sins and we’re not worthy sacrifices, either, being blemished by sin, only the perfect sacrifice was acceptable to God and that was Jesus (Hebrews 10:1-18; 9:15; 1 Peter 2:21-24; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). Now we’re to offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices, beginning with being united with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 12:1-2; 6:3-7, 11-13, 16-23).

Have you offered yourself to God on his terms to accept Jesus’ substitute sacrifice for your sins?

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected].