Clean in Christ

It is the month of February and the book of Leviticus that often sets people off-track in their daily Bible study.  Leviticus is so thick with rules and regulations.  Most of which have little application to our lives.  There is difficulty with these passages because there is not as much narrative about the daily happenings in the lives of the Israelites. There is a lot of listing.  Don't be discouraged though.  I believe it is well worth your while to spend some time in Leviticus.  It is a sweet reminder of the difference the cross of Christ makes and the wonderful grace of God.  Why so many rules anyway? I believe Leviticus 11:45 gives us a strong hint- For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. (www.lifejournal.cc)  Holiness and sinlessness is the will of God for our lives.  We are to run from sin.  We are to take sin seriously.  We are to avoid it.   When we do not, there are provisions for forgiveness, but they must be followed.
Thankfully in the New Covenant of Christ the process is quite different now.  Do you remember reading just a few days ago about the Peter's vision (Acts 10) and the sheet with all the unclean animals on it?  Well, the animals that are listed in Leviticus 11 are the ones that were on that sheet.  The Lord told Peter to eat.  Peter said 'No' and then called him Lord (greatest oxymoron in Scripture).  He said he would not eat the unclean things.  The Lord said what I have made clean is clean.  That whole vision was not just about food.  It was also about people.  It was about reaching the Gentiles for the Lord.  All the ramifications of certain foods for certain people was gone with the cross.  Now, whosoever will may come and be clean by the forgiveness of sin.  No need for sacrificial animals anymore.  Christ is the sacrifice that ends all sacrifices.  No need for all these regulations.   Christ and the cross has changed everything. 
Therefore, we ought to keep reading and keep thanking the Lord for the freedom that we have in Christ.   We are free in Him!  Celebrate today (maybe even with some BBQ)!!