In the Old Testament, there are laws to rule the people of Israel in their worship of God. Yet, today, we often take for granted the liberty we have in worshipping God. Even though the Old Testament laws do not govern our worship directly, the principles are still applicable to us.

1 The requirement of the only acceptable sacrifice (Lev 17:1-4)

Leviticus 17:3 concerns the killing of animals for sacrifice. In any place or circumstance, the people of Israel had to go to the tabernacle to offer their sacrifices to God. They could not offer sacrifices to God any way they liked. Because the offering of sacrifices was to be done in the tabernacle, it prevented the offering of sacrifices to devils. If the person did not offer the sacrifice at the door of the tabernacle, the person would be cut off from the others (i.e. death).

Likewise, when we worship God, it must be done according to what God had prescribed. It is a very serious offence if we are to go against the principles prescribed in the Scripture. Within the broad principles given by God, there is some liberty for us. Yet, we must still fulfil the requirements given by God.

2 The reasons of the only acceptable sacrifice (Lev 17:5-7)

The offering of sacrifices to the Lord must be done to the glory of God. The peace offering was to be sacrificed according to the manner that God had prescribed.

When we worship God, we cannot at the same time also love the world. We must worship God with clean hands and pure heart. Restrictions and limitations are good for us as they guide us in the proper worship of God.

3 The warning if one rejects the acceptable sacrifice (Lev 17:8-9)

The plain and severe penalty for idol worship is death. To reject God's appointed means of sacrifice and worship is our rejection of God Himself. One example is Nadab and Abihu. When they offered strange fire before God, they were cut off from God.

Likewise for us, it is also a serious offence if we do not worship God properly according to His instructions. It is only by God's mercies that we are not cut off from Him. We must never take the grace and mercy of God for granted. And we must not mock Christ's work that was done for us.