Still in Awe of the Blood
In this season let us remember this: For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 NKJV)
In this season let us remember this: For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 NKJV)
Not long ago, I wrote a piece titled, “Be Holy as He is Holy.”
I anchored it on this scripture that says: But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’
One of the key things I shared was that God is loving, but He also means what He says. When He calls us to be holy, He’s not setting us up for failure—He’s inviting us into something He empowers us to live out.
Since writing that, I’ve had cause to reflect more on what the blood of Jesus has done for us. We have no claim to any Holiness if not for the blood of Jesus.
Without the shedding of blood there is no remission.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
In this season let us remember that we had no power to be rid of the sinful nature on our own. Our righteousness simply did not measure up. Cute and cuddly as all babies are and we once were, we had this nature that would manifest itself soon enough. But God, through Jesus Christ the sinless lamb of God had a plan to cleanse our sins and restore us to Himself.
The only reason we can even begin to pursue holiness is because of the blood. The blood of Jesus makes us acceptable to God. So we must understand that deliberately continuing to sin puts us at cross purposes with what God has done for us through the blood of Jesus. The Bible says obeying human nature cannot please God. We cannot desire to be less than God has called for - Holy, consecrated, dedicated.
Without the blood, none of us could stand before Him. We now have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus only. We can now draw near to God with a sincere heart, full of faith and cleansed from a guilty conscience - imagine that.
So, when we come boldly to the throne of grace looking for mercy, grace and help in time of need, it is the blood of Jesus that makes this possible.
God didn’t just make a way — Jesus became the way, the only way. No other sacrifice will do. This is it - Jesus has paid the price. What a ransom for our sins and reproach that we might be in relationship with God.
My prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the blood of Jesus. Thank you for loving us in spite of ourselves. Help us to grow every day in our love for you that we would choose your way over the ways of the flesh every time. Help us to never tire of being in gratitude and awe for all that blood of Jesus has done for us. We pray this in Jesus name.
A few verses to reflect on:
1 Peter 1:15–16, Hebrews 9:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 64:6, Psalm 51:5, Hebrews 10:19–22, Hebrews 4:16, John 14:6, Hebrews 10:26–27
