Living with God study 17
Contents
The Blood
"You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel" Hebrews 12:23-24.
The shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross was the essential condition for us to receive forgiveness for our sins and acceptance into the presence of God.
"In [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding" Ephesians 1:7-8.
The Effect of Sin
Sin has four effects in our lives:
Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2).
Sin makes us feel guilty (Psalm 38:4).
Sin allows Satan to accuse us (Rev 12:10).
Sin demands the death penalty (Ezekiel 18:4).
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" Romans 3:23-24.
The Reason for the Blood
The blood of Christ wholly satisfies God's holiness. When God rescued the people of Israel from Egypt, He commanded them to put the blood of a lamb on their door-posts.
"...when I see the blood, I will pass over you." Exodus 12:13.
When God saw the blood of the substitute lamb on the doorposts of a home, He passed over them and did not judge that household. This was called "the Passover." The sacrificial lamb was a picture of the coming Lamb of God - Jesus.
"...For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" 1 Corinthians 5:7 (see also John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
There are three words which the Bible uses to describe the effect the blood of Christ has on our lives:
Justification
"Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!" Romans 5:9.
To be justified means that we now have peace with God (Romans 5:1). It means that the court records against us in heaven have been wiped clean. Because of the blood, we can stand before God with no judgement hanging over our heads.
"...But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" 1 Corinthians 6:11.
Redemption
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" Ephesians 1:7.
To redeem means to "buy back." Because of disobedience to God, mankind had sold itself out to Satan's power. The blood of Christ was the price God paid to buy us back (1 Cor.6:20).
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin" Col.1:13-14 (see also 1 Peter 1:18).
Reconciliation
"For God was pleased...to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross" Col.1:19-20 (read Col 1:21-22; Rom.5:8-9).
To be "reconciled" means that we are brought back into relationship with God. All the barriers between us and God have been broken. Fellowship with God is restored.
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ" Ephesians 2:13 (see also 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
The Effect of the Blood
The blood of Christ not only satisfies the holy requirements of God. It also meets the innermost need of every person.
The blood cleanses from guilt
"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" Hebrews 9:14 (see also 1 John 1:7).
The blood gives confidence before God
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience..." Heb.10:19-22 (see Heb 4:16).
The blood makes us worthy
"Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns?..." Rom.8:31, Rom 8:33-34.
Satan is called the "accuser" of God's people (Rev 12:10). He will try to use guilt to stop people from feeling worthy to enter God's presence. It is true that in ourselves we are totally unworthy. But the blood of Christ makes us worthy in Him. The blood wipes out every accusation that Satan may bring against us.
The blood makes us holy
"And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood" Hebrews 13:12.
The cleansing effect of the blood of Christ is the basis for a holy walk with the Lord.
The Seal of the Covenant
"...after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you'" Luke 22:20.
The blood of Christ was the seal of a covenant God has made between you and Him. That covenant is everlasting and is the basis by which you can now come close to God.
"(Jesus) did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption...How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" Heb.9:12-14 (read also Heb 13:20-21).