Wednesday Word, January 6, 2016: Beginning the New Year With the Blood
What better way to begin this New Year other than preaching to ourselves about the Blood of Christ.
Among other things we could remind ourselves that,
1.We have redemption through the Blood (Hebrews 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 5:9).
2.We have remission of sins through the Blood (Hebrews 9:22).
3.We are sanctified through the Blood (Hebrews 13:12).
4.We have a purged conscience by the Blood (Hebrews 9:14).
5.We have forgiveness of sins through the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).
6.We have peace with God through the Blood (Colossians 1:20).
7.We are cleansed by the Blood (1 John 1:7).
8.We have been washed by the Blood (Revelation 1:5).
9.We have been made kings and priests through the Blood (Revelation 1:5-6).
10.We overcome the devil by the Blood (Revelation 12:11).
11.We are justified by the Blood (Romans 5:9).
12.We are reconciled to God by the Blood (Romans 3:24, 25).
13.We enter into the holiest by the Blood (Hebrews 10:19).
14.We are made nigh to God by the Blood (Ephesians 2:13).
15.Christ’s Blood is precious (1 Peter 1:18).
On the first ever Passover, 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 weeping and mourning because of your sins, I will pass over you." No, He said; "When I see the blood, I will pass over you (Exodus 12:13)."
It was the blood that saved the Israelites, not their righteousness, not their fear, not their feelings. They were saved by the Father’s estimation of the Blood.
Some people say, "If I were only a better person, I would feel safe before God." But, here’s the gospel truth, we don‘t need to enquire about the depth of our goodness. Our goodness cannot get us right with God. Indeed, the Lord says that our righteousness, not our sin, is like a filthy rag. The biggest problem God has with us is not our sin, it’s our righteousness (Isaiah 64:6).
The very best man has done is like a filthy rag before God. This is why we by faith look away from ourselves to the blood. Our atonement and reconciliation has been accomplished outside of us, apart from us in history.
We need, therefore, to ask whether or not we are sheltered under the blood? If we are, we are safer than any man or woman who has prayed without ceasing, given their finances and sacrificed 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, long hours of prayer and devotion, while commendable, have never saved anyone. The Father says, "When I see the blood I will pass over you." And when we are sheltered beneath the blood of Christ Jesus, we are saved; but if not shielded, we are lost.
The blood of Christ is our only refuge and protection from the wrath to come. Christ’s blood has been shed. His blood is now on the mercy-seat. Faith alone takes a hold of this remarkable truth and makes it our own.
And that’s the Gospel Truth!