Be Totally Dedicated to God

Leviticus 1

Introduction

In Leviticus 1, God instructs the children of Israel to offer unblemished animals as sacrifices to make atonement for their sins, with the assistance of the priests.

This chapter highlights the importance of sacrificial offerings, pointing to the need for personal dedication and the acknowledgement of sin before God. Although we sin willingly, we are also called to sacrifice with our free will in response to God’s grace.

The Bible teaches that while humanity has sinned against God, He has provided a greater sacrifice—His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). In Christ’s perfect sacrifice, we are invited to lay down our lives and take up His righteousness, being fully accepted by God.

What Does It Take to Offer a Pleasing Sacrifice?

To offer a “sweet-smelling sacrifice” (Ephesians 5:2) to God, the sinner must conform to several spiritual principles, as illustrated in Leviticus 1:

1. Recognise You Are a Sinner

The first step in approaching God is acknowledging your sinfulness. In 1 John 1:8, it says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” No one can seek God without first confessing their fallen state.

Denying the reality of sin renders any attempt to reconcile with God ineffective. It is essential to come to God freely, recognizing that we are sinners in need of atonement (Romans 3:23).

God’s grace allows us to find redemption, for “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Like the unblemished sacrifice required by the law, Jesus, who was without sin, became the perfect offering on our behalf. We must approach God with humility, confessing our sins and trusting in His provision.

2. Submit to God’s Offer of Atonement

Acknowledging sin alone is not enough. Submission to God’s plan for atonement is required. In Leviticus, the sinner could not merely confess their sin—they had to offer a substitute sacrifice. Likewise, Christ became the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, dying in our place (1 Peter 2:24).

Romans 6:23 reminds us that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus took the punishment we deserved, and in return, we are offered eternal life.

The believer’s task is not to work for salvation, but to accept this free gift of atonement through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Only then can we stand before God, justified by the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9).

Conclusion

The Psalmist says, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1). Leviticus 1 teaches us to recognise our sinfulness and submit to God’s divine plan of atonement.

In the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, we see a foreshadowing of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

God promises that those who come to Him in faith, through the atonement provided by His Son, will never be turned away (John 6:37).

Take Action: Recognize your need for atonement and accept the perfect sacrifice of Christ.