Sanctification

 And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you,
Leviticus 22:32 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/lev.22.32.ESV

The last sentence of this verse may come as a surprise, considering the context. Leviticus is all about how God is holy and how we need to become holy also, in order to relate to Him. At first glance it seems to be all down to us admitting our unholiness and bringing offerings to atone for our guilt.

Leviticus is worth reading alongside Hebrews, which tells us that the blood of animals can't reconcile us to God. Instead, all that gory animal sacrifice is a picture of the true means by which we are atoned with God. We become at peace with God through the blood of His Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the Lord who sanctifies us. The ancient Israelites looked forward to His advent. We look back. Yet our justification is by the same means, Christ's sacrifice on our behalf.

God forbid that His name, or that of His Son, should trip off our tongues as a swear word. We should revere the one who delivers us from evil. We were bought at the greatest price ever, we must honour God in our lives.

'Lord, how we praise You for sanctifying us. We recognise that it's only through the blood of Jesus that we're redeemed, in His name we pray, amen'

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