Day 63 Through The Bible

Day 63: The Eternal Fire of Redemption

Biblical Principle – Absolute Truth from God’s Word:

In Leviticus 6:8-13, we are given specific instructions about the burnt offering, a crucial part of the sacrificial system under the Old Covenant. God’s command to Aaron and his sons through Moses was clear: the fire on the altar was not to go out. This perpetual fire symbolized the ongoing nature of the payment for sin. The fire would burn from evening to morning, and the priest was to add wood to the fire daily to ensure it would continue to burn. The ashes were carefully removed and taken outside the camp, but the fire was never extinguished.

This is no random instruction. The consistency and perpetuity of the fire speak to a deep truth about sin and the cost of atonement. Sin is serious. The payment for sin, as symbolized by the burnt offering, is an eternal matter. When we sin, we are sinning against an eternal God, and the offense is so grave that it demands an eternal response. A temporary offering would not suffice.

In this way, the burnt offering highlights a powerful biblical truth: the payment for sin must be eternal because the offense is eternal. The fire that burns continually on the altar is a visual reminder of this eternal payment for sin, underscoring the seriousness of our separation from God caused by our sin.

Practical Application – Works That Apply Biblical Principles:

While the Old Testament sacrificial system points to the seriousness of sin and the eternal need for atonement, it is essential to recognize the New Testament's contrast: God has provided the final, eternal sacrifice for sin through Jesus Christ. The fire that burned on the altar in Leviticus was a temporary measure, but the ultimate offering for sin, Christ's death and resurrection, provides an eternal solution.

Romans 6:23 tells us, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The wages, or payment, of our sin, is eternal death—separation from God forever. But in His mercy, God provided the gift of eternal life, which we could never earn or repay on our own. This eternal life is offered through the final and perfect sacrifice of Jesus, who took upon Himself the punishment for our sins. His sacrifice was, once and for all, fulfilling the need for an eternal payment for sin.

The contrast between the eternal fire on the altar and the eternal life offered through Jesus couldn’t be more precise. The burnt offering had to burn continually, signifying the unrelenting cost of sin. Yet, in Jesus, we see the fulfillment of that eternal cost that leads to life rather than death.

God is so good. He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him, not through our efforts but through the eternal sacrifice of His Son. As we reflect on the eternal nature of sin and the atonement, let us be reminded of God's unmeasurable grace. His sacrifice is complete, and His offer of eternal life stands forever.

Takeaway:

The fire on the altar never went out because sin is a serious offense, and its price is eternal. Yet through Jesus, God has made the final, eternal payment for sin, offering us the gift of eternal life in return. God’s grace is not just sufficient; it is abundant, infinite, and available to all who accept it. Thank God for His unfathomable goodness!