How
Sins Are Forgiven
Nothing
is more heinous than our sins and nothing is more joyful than having sins
forgiven. Sin is a universal problem. "For all have sinned, and come short
of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Sin is rebellion against God and only
the blood of Christ can cleanse us from sin. "And almost all things are by
the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
(Hebrews 9:22) Salvation is by the precious blood of Jesus. Many animals were
sacrificed in Old Testament days, but they did not provide forgiveness.
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away
sins." (Hebrews 10:4) The blood of Christ, not the blood of animals, is
the means of our salvation.
There
is power in the blood of Christ. Jesus said, "For this is My blood of the
new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matthew
26:26-28) It is by the blood of Christ that we are made near to God. "But
now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the
blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:13) God "loved us and washed us from
our sins in His own blood." (Revelation 1:5) The blood of Christ delivers
us from Satan and transfers us into the kingdom or
Atonement by the blood of Jesus: Because of sin, atonement became
necessary. God could not ignore sin and still maintain His holiness. Atonement
by the blood of Christ made it possible for God to "be just, and the
justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (Romans 3:26) Through the
cross of Christ God could forgive sins and at the same time maintain His
holiness by punishing our sins upon Jesus.
The entire Bible sets forth the necessity of
"blood" in connection with man's redemption. "For this is my
blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of
sins." (Matthew 26:28)
If it was not for the blood of Jesus Christ there would be
no forgiveness of sins. "And almost all things are by the law purged with
blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." (Hebrews 9:22) He
loved us enough to save us by His blood. "Unto him that loved us, and
washed us from our sins in his own blood." (Revelation 1:5)
Sin called for death. If the one that sinned was not to
die someone must stand in his place. "Atonement" must be made. The
word "atonement." appears many times in the Old Testament. Romans
It is by looking at Jesus dying on the cross that we are
looking at the heart of the Bible doctrine of blood atonement. It is through
the blood of Christ that man can enjoy complete forgiveness of sins.
"Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own
blood, suffered without the gate." (Hebrews 13:12)
Christ offered Himself once for the sins of the entire
world. His blood atones for our sins. The blood of Christ offers full remission
of sins when we hear the gospel (Romans
Contact with Christ's blood: Since the only way man's sins can
be covered is through the blood of Christ, we should be anxious to find how
that cleansing blood may be applied. There is a one word answer to the
question, how is the blood applied? The blood of Christ that was shed for our
atonement is applied to our life by "obedience."
Somewhere, in the planning of our all-wise God, the sinner
must come in contact with that blood which is adequate to cover sin. Where do
we contact His blood and how is that cleansing accomplished? Some believe that
the blood of Jesus is contacted the moment the sinner believes in Jesus
Christ. Certainly, we would not minimize faith in Christ. Faith is essential to
salvation. But, where is the Scripture that declares that Jesus' blood is
contacted through faith alone?
Other sincere people believe that we contact the blood of
Christ through repentance. We would not minimize repentance. Repentance is a
part of "being saved." But again, we ask for a Scripture that shows
us that we contact the blood through repentance.
Others conclude that the blood of Jesus is applied through
prayer. We would never want to minimize prayer, but where is the Scripture that
tells us that the blood is applied through prayer?
I challenge you to show any place in Divine record where
God declares that the sinner may contact the cleansing blood of Christ other
than the place indicated in Romans 6:3, "Know ye not, that so many of us
as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" Where was His blood shed? Jesus' blood was
shed in His death. (John 19:34) Then how may that blood be contacted? God said
that we contact the blood of Jesus by being baptized into His death. Then how
important is it that we humbly obey the divine ordinance of baptism? In the act
of baptism the cleansing blood of Christ is applied!
The result of blood
atonement:
The
one that understands and appreciates blood atonement, the one that has obeyed
the gospel, the one that has been crucified with Christ is the one that can
live the Christ like life.
A Christ-like person is freed from the guilt of sin. If there are sins in our life
that are not repented of those sins are unforgiven. If we have unforgiven sins
guilt will follow. Freedom from sin and its guilt belongs to those that have
availed themselves of atonement by the precious blood of Jesus. Our sins are
forgiven by the Savior's blood when we obey the gospel from the heart. (Romans
6:1-6, Romans 6:16-18)
A Christ-like person finds ways to serve others. The best way to live is to get
outside of yourself through Christian service. You forget yourself through
serving others. (Philippians 2:4) "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)
A Christ-like person constantly seeks to know God's truth. Truth sets men free from sin.
(John 8:31-32) The Christian will seek to know truth; not just some brotherhood
position. The Christ-like life will be seeking truth about self, truth about Christ
and truth about the depths of God's word. TRUTH! TRUTH! TRUTH! That is the only
way to the Christ-like life.
A Christ-like life is a life of loving and being loved. God's love for us is the
motivating force behind all He has done for us. (Romans 5:6-10, John 3:16)
God's love for us should make us loving people. (1 John 4:16-21)
For "Heaven's sake" turn to Christ in trusting,
obedient, loving faith to have your sins removed by His blood. You should then
live the Christ-like life with joy and eternal hope.
By Charles Box,