William Reid, in his short masterpiece, ‘The Blood of Jesus’, says,
“I do not know a more striking illustration of salvation by the blood of Jesus alone, than that which is furnished by the sprinkling of the blood of the Passover lamb on the homes of the Israelites, on the eve of their redemption from the bondage of Egypt. "The blood on the lintel secured Israel's peace." There was nothing more required in order to enjoy settled peace, in reference to the destroying angel, than the application of "the blood of sprinkling." God did not add anything to the blood, because nothing more was necessary to obtain salvation from the sword of judgment. He did not say, "When I see the blood and the unleavened bread or bitter herbs, I will pass over." By no means. These things had their proper place, and their proper value; but they never could be regarded as the ground of peace in the presence of God.”
Let’s expand on this. The LORD said, "When I see the blood I will pass over you." He didn‘t say, "When I see how you feel about the blood, I will pass over you"; or, "When I see you praying and weeping, I will pass over you," but said, "When I see the blood I will pass over you."
It was the blood that saved them, not their righteousness. Some uncertain Christians say, "If I were only a better person, I would feel safe." Or they say, “ I’m not good enough or consistent enough in my faith to be sure of salvation.” But here’s the gospel truth; ... in this great matter of salvation, we don‘t need to enquire about the depth of our goodness. We must, instead, ask, are we sheltered under the blood? If we are, we are as safe as any man or woman who has been praying without ceasing, giving their finances and sacrificing for the cause of the gospel for 100 years. It is not their righteousness and good works that are going to save them. Good works and long hours of prayer and devotion, whilst excellent things, have never saved anyone. The Father says, "When I see the blood I will pass over you." If we are sheltered beneath the blood, we are saved, and if we are not sheltered by the blood, we are not saved.
Furthermore, we are neither saved by our good thoughts concerning the blood nor saved by our good feelings concerning the blood. As has been pointed out by many, God did not say, "When you see the blood, I will pass over you." No! But here’s what He said, “When I see the blood.” It is the Father’s estimation of the blood of Christ that is necessary in salvation. Faith grasps this. Faith sees and embraces that the wrath offering has been made. Faith grasps the fact that the blood of the sinless substitute has been shed. Faith sees that this is enough; faith sees that the perfect Christ performed and finished His perfect work on Calvary.
Since nothing can be added to the blood, then salvation is not a matter of the shed blood plus faith. Many, many depart from the gospel on this point in that they believe their faith makes them accepted to God. But faith neither does nor can make us acceptable to God. We are only accepted in the acceptable One, Jesus Christ. Faith did not pour out its blood, for it has none to pour.
Whom Christ is and what He did in His finished work are the object of our faith. Christ alone saves! Although our act of faith is vital, it is not the reason we are saved. The ground of our salvation is Christ alone.
And that’s the Gospel Truth!