Now that we are more than a decade into the 21st Century, it’s pretty amazing when you stop and think about all the technological advances that have come our way:  There are cars that can parallel park for themselves.  There … Continue reading →

Now that we are more than a decade into the 21st Century, it’s pretty amazing when you stop and think about all the technological advances that have come our way:

Honestly, the list could go on and on.  However, I was recently reminded that, as important as technology is, it can’t replace everything.

Today I received a message from the Puget Sound Blood Center with an urgent call for blood donors, as the region’s blood supply is at critical levels. It seems that, for all the things that we are able to do, one of the things that we cannot do is produce artificial blood. Every drop of blood that is used for transfusion or for research has come by a voluntary donation from a human being.

And by giving your own blood, you provide an opportunity to save another person’s life. (In fact, up to THREE lives, according to the message I received!)

As I thought about that, it brought to mind the life-changing impact of the blood of Jesus:

Through Christ’s blood, your SINS are FORGIVEN…

Consider what the Bible says in these passages –

“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” ( Matthew 26:28 , NKJV)

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” ( Ephesians 1:7 , NKJV)

“And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” ( Hebrews 9:22 , NKJV)

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” ( 1 John 1:7 , NKJV)

As Christians, we know that, without the shed blood of Christ, our sins could never be forgiven.  As the Bible says, “the wages of sin is death.” ( Romans 6:23a , NKJV).  Our sin required death as the payment…a debt we could never truly pay.  But according to the Bible, we know that Jesus gave His life as a “ransom for many” ( Mark 10:45 , NKJV), and through His death He took away the “sin of the world” ( John 1:29 , NKJV). 

There’s an older praise song that captures this wonderful truth of Christianity:

            He paid a debt He did not owe
            I owed I debt I could not pay
            I needed Someone to wash my sins away
            And now I sing a brand-new song
            Amazing Grace…all day long
            Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay!

Because of the shed blood of Jesus, you can know that your sins are forgiven when you trust in Him by faith.

Through Christ’s blood, you are made HOLY and BLAMELESS…

Consider this passage of Scripture –

“Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.” ( Hebrews 13:12 , NKJV)

The Greek word (“hagiazo”) that is translated as “sanctify” has a literal meaning of “to make holy”.  The root (“hagios”) of that word means “moral blamelessness”.  In other words, even though our righteousness is “like filthy rags” ( Isaiah 64:6 , NKJV) and even though we could never make ourselves perfect, because of Jesus’ blood, He makes us holy and blameless.

In the Bible, we have this foundational truth spelled out for us –

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:21 , NKJV)

“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight…” ( Colossians 1:21-22 , NKJV)

Through His death on the cross and the blood that He shed, Jesus offers to trade places with you.  He accepted your sin upon Himself and then grants you His holiness and His righteousness in exchange when you trust in Him by faith!

Through Christ’s blood, you are made RIGHT with GOD…

Think about what the Bible says as recorded in these verses –

“Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.” ( Romans 5:9 , HCSB)

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” ( Ephesians 2:13 , NKJV)

“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” ( Colossians 1:19-20 , NKJV)

Because of the blood of Christ, your sins can be forgiven and you can be made holy and blameless…but it doesn’t stop there!  Because of His blood, your relationship with God can be restored.  With your sin removed, the righteous requirement God put in place as the penalty for sin has been fulfilled…providing you with the freedom to enjoy an unobstructed relationship with God!

Thinking about this brings deeper meaning to passages like these:

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…” ( Galatians 5:1a , NIV)

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
( Romans 8:14-17 , NKJV)

“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.”
( John 6:56 , NKJV)

“By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” ( 1 John 4:13 , NKJV)

Through Christ’s blood, you are set free – free to have a real, abiding relationship with the One who created you…free to be adopted into God’s family…free to have an eternal fellowship with God!  Because of the shed blood of Jesus, you can know that you are made right with God when you trust in Him by faith!

The amazing story behind all of these promises is that Jesus voluntarily shed His blood for us.  It was His choice to die in our place.  It was His act of love – “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” ( John 15:13 , NKJV)  Jesus willingly “gave blood” – and in so doing, He has opened the door for everyone who trusts in Him by faith to have their sins forgiven…to be made holy and blameless before God…and ultimately to be made right with God and be adopted into His family and to live eternally!

So, if you ever have the opportunity to donate blood, use the time to remember the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for you…and realize that He did it because He loves you!

Have a blessed week,
–Pastor John