First of all. I love Peru! It is my favorite country on the race! And, I am working with a mega church in Lima called Camino de Vida (Walk of Life). They have 6 campuses, 10,000 weekly attendees, and 7 World Race girls 😉 check them out on Facebook, Instagram, or at caminodevida.com
This month, I have been reading through the Minor Phrophets and Pauls letters. I read this verse in Zephaniah yesterday:
“I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung.” -Zephaniah 1:17
You may think, ‘Wow, why would a girl on a fun mission trip around the world read verses like that?’ Or ‘I don’t really like to think of God that way.’ Or even, ‘how would God that loves and forgives do that to people?’
Here’s the thing though. God is loving. God does forgive his people. These verses specifically are talking about the coming Day of the Lord. A day of divine wrath and divine judgement.
God is holy, and He is too holy to allow sin and unrightenouss. The day of the Lord is a day when sin is judged. But we have hope!
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” -Leviticus 17:11
In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were given. The Old Coveneant required blood to pay the penalty for sins. They had to provide animal sacrifices over and over again.
In this verse in Zephaniah, the Lord showed me that blood is required to pay for sins. In chapter 2, Zephaniah outlines the judgement coming for Judea’s enemies. And I also felt like it was really harsh. And in my heart, I asked the Lord, “Why? Why does it have to be like this?”
And He answered me. “When people step out of the covering of my blood, their own is required.”
And, it is so true. Jesus’ blood -and His life- are the atonement for my sin. he was the one time perfect sacrifice that covers me forever. When we choose to remain out of the blood of the Lamb. Our own is required to pay for our sins.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 6:23
Without Him, we are condemned. We are stained. We are unrighteousness. This is the reality of life without Christ.
But, with Christ, we are redeemed, we are co-heirs with Christ, we are set apart. We are a royal priesthood, ministers of reconciliation, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Life in Christ is the only true life. His blood is the seal on our lives and on the New Covenant.
And if you have never given your life to Christ, I want to tell you that this is the best and most full life you can have. More money will not bring you happiness and freedom. Your boyfriend or girlfriend will not be able to save you. Nothing but the Lord can. Life with Him is truly the best. And it may seem like you are submitting yourself to a bunch of rules, or an outdated way of life, but in Christ, you will have the most true Freedom possible. Rebellion and autonomy don’t bring freedom. Only Christ does.
If you have never accepted christ as your Lord and Savior and you want to, pray a prayer like this:
Jesus, I believe that you are Lord over all. I need you. I cannot save myself. Please come be the Lord of my life and of my heart. I will follow you. Thank you. Amen
If you prayed this prayer or you have any questions about God or the Bible, I would love to talk with you! E-mail me at [email protected]. I don’t have all the answers, but I can ask someone else too! There’s so much waiting for you in the Lord’s arms.
