Leviticus 5

Restored by Grace

‘And it shall be, when he is guilty in any of these matters, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing; ~ Leviticus 5:5

Have you ever carried something in your heart that you knew you needed to make right, but you just kept putting it off? Maybe it was a harsh word you said, a promise you didn’t keep, or a mistake you hoped would just fade away with time. Guilt has a way of lingering quietly, stealing joy and peace. In Leviticus 5, God gave His people a way to be cleansed and restored when they had sinned unintentionally or failed in their responsibilities. It isn’t a chapter of condemnation, but one of mercy. God made a way for His people to come back into fellowship with Him.

This passage reminds me that even in failure, God’s desire is restoration, not rejection. There are three truths we can take from this chapter about how to live with a heart that stays tender before Him.

1. Acknowledge what is wrong instead of ignoring it.

God told His people that when they realized they had sinned, they were to confess it. The peace came not from pretending it didn’t happen, but from bringing it honestly to Him. Confession is not about shame, it is about honesty and release.

Take time each day to examine your heart before God. If something comes to mind that you know is not right, talk to Him about it immediately. Say, “Lord, I missed it there, and I ask for Your forgiveness.” Here’s the thing, when you tell Him about it, it is not the first time He is hearing about it.  He already knows, but He waits on us to bring it before Him with a pure and honest heart. When possible, make things right with others too. This keeps your heart free from heaviness.

I remember a time when I spoke too quickly in frustration during a ministry meeting. I knew instantly that my tone had hurt someone’s feelings. I tried to justify it in my mind, but the conviction would not lift. Later that day, I asked God to forgive me and went to that person to apologize. The moment I did, I felt peace come back to my heart. It taught me that confession and humility are doorways to restoration.

2. Receive His forgiveness and let go of guilt.

In Leviticus 5, God provided a sacrifice for the people so that they could be forgiven. Today, Jesus is our sacrifice once and for all. The moment you confess your sin, forgiveness is yours, but many still carry the guilt as if it were unpaid.

After you bring your sin before God, thank Him that it is forgiven through Jesus. Speak it out loud, “Lord, I receive Your forgiveness.” Then stop revisiting the mistake in your mind. Each time it comes up, replace it with a word of gratitude for His grace.

I used to struggle with replaying past failures in my mind. Even after asking God to forgive me, I would still feel unworthy. One morning during prayer, I sensed Him say, “If I’ve forgiven you, why are you still punishing yourself?” That moment set me free. Every time guilt tries to return, I choose to thank Him that His mercy and grace covers me and empowers me to be free from the weight of guilt.

3. Restore peace by walking in obedience.

Leviticus 5 ends with God’s instructions for restitution, meaning His people were to make right what had been wronged. True repentance isn’t only about saying sorry, it’s about changing direction and doing what is right moving forward.

Ask God to show you if there’s a step you can take to make something right. Maybe it’s returning something borrowed, paying a debt, or being honest about a mistake. Obedience is not about earning His love, it’s about walking in the freedom He already gave you. Humble, open and transparent.

Years ago, I discovered a small error in my favor on a purchase receipt. My first thought was that it was minor and no one would notice. But I felt the Lord gently remind me that integrity matters even when no one else sees. I went back to the store and explained the mistake. The cashier was surprised, but my heart was at peace. That small act reminded me that obedience builds peace one choice at a time.  It’s not about the smallness or greatness of the offense, it is about being honest with yourself and God even when no one else sees it.

God’s desire has never been to push me or you away when we fall short. Instead, He continually invites us closer. His forgiveness restores, His mercy renews, and His grace covers every weakness.

Today I want to encourage you to come honestly before God and let Him restore your heart. Bring Him your mistakes, your hidden guilt, and the things you wish you could undo. He isn’t waiting to condemn you, He is waiting to cleanse and renew you. Let His grace lift the weight you’ve been carrying so that peace can take its place. The same God who forgave Israel through sacrifice now forgives you through His Son, Jesus.  That is the greatest gift of peace you will ever receive.  Know God, know peace – No God, no peace!

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 5

1 ‘If a person sins in hearing the utterance of an oath, and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of the matter—if he does not tell it, he bears guilt.

2 ‘Or if a person touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean beast, or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and he is unaware of it, he also shall be unclean and guilty. 

3 Or if he touches human uncleanness—whatever uncleanness with which a man may be defiled, and he is unaware of it—when he realizes it, then he shall be guilty.

4 ‘Or if a person swears, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, whatever it is that a man may pronounce by an oath, and he is unaware of it—when he realizes it, then he shall be guilty in any of these matters.

5 ‘And it shall be, when he is guilty in any of these matters, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing; 

6 and he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord for his sin which he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin.

7 ‘If he is not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring to the Lord, for his trespass which he has committed, two turtledoves or two young pigeons: one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. 

8 And he shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and wring off its head from its neck, but shall not divide it completely. 

9 Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, and the rest of the blood shall be drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering. 

10 And he shall offer the second as a burnt offering according to the prescribed manner. So the priest shall make atonement on his behalf for his sin which he has committed, and it shall be forgiven him.

11 ‘But if he is not able to bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then he who sinned shall bring for his offering one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it, nor shall he put frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering. 

12 Then he shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it as a memorial portion, and burn it on the altar according to the offerings made by fire to the Lord. It is a sin offering. 

13 The priest shall make atonement for him, for his sin that he has committed in any of these matters; and it shall be forgiven him. The rest shall be the priest’s as a grain offering.’ ”

14 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 

15 “If a person commits a trespass, and sins unintentionally in regard to the holy things of the Lord, then he shall bring to the Lord as his trespass offering a ram without blemish from the flocks, with your valuation in shekels of silver according to the shekel of the sanctuary, as a trespass offering. 

16 And he shall make restitution for the harm that he has done in regard to the holy thing, and shall add one-fifth to it and give it to the priest. So the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him.

17 “If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord, though he does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity. 

18 And he shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish from the flock, with your valuation, as a trespass offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him regarding his ignorance in which he erred and did not know it, and it shall be forgiven him. 

19 It is a trespass offering; he has certainly trespassed against the Lord.”

Journal:

• What is something I need to confess and make right before God today?
• How can I begin letting go of guilt and receiving God’s forgiveness fully?
• Is there anyone I need to apologize to or restore peace with?
• What practical steps can I take this week to walk in obedience and integrity?
• How has God shown me His mercy when I least deserved it?