Begin with the Altar Animal sacrifice on an altar is abhorrent to our society, but it was a regular practice of many religions throughout history. In it they recognized that sin had to be atoned. The world’s very first family offered sacrifices of animals as well as offerings from their crops. In our time people speak of a particular aspect in the church building as being an altar. It is a place where worship is offered to God. The reason we do not offer animal sacrifices to God is that when Jesus died on the cross He was offering Himself as an offering to end all offerings that required the shedding of blood. Any who confess their sins repenting of them and who come to trust in Jesus’ sacrifice to atone for their sins are forgiven so that they may serve the Lord with a clear conscience and enjoy eternal life in Him. Having been forgiven, God’s people worship Him at the altar of His holiness and grace—not a physical altar on earth. Instead it is as if we are transported by God’s Spirit to the heavenly sanctuary through the blood of Jesus Christ.
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