The Significance of Shed Blood to Forgiveness
The Significance of Shed Blood to Forgiveness
Our Need for Forgiveness
All people whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, male or female have a common problem and a common need that none of them has the ability within themselves to solve or make right. All men and women have sinned, and all men and women are in need of a way to have their sins forgiven so they can be in right standing with God. The Bible explains it in these scriptures.
Romans 3:21-23 New King James Version (NKJV)
God’s Righteousness Through Faith
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [a]and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:21-23 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Justification by Faith
But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God,
Therefore, as through [b]one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one[c] Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:17-19 Amplified Bible (AMP)
For if by the trespass of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one (Adam), much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in [eternal] life through the One, Jesus Christ.
So then as through one trespass [Adam’s sin] there resulted condemnation for all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to [a]all men. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience [his failure to hear, his carelessness] the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of the one Man the many will be made righteous and acceptable to God and brought into right standing with Him.
When Adam, the first man God created, sinned, the sin nature came to the entire human race. Adam and all of us, in turn, were separated from God by this sin nature.
Blood is shed to cover Adam’s sinful condition.
In the Garden of Eden where Adam lived and committed the first sin of disobedience to God’s commandment, God performed the first act of making provision to “cover” a man’s sin. He killed animals and made clothes to cover their nakedness. Thus, blood was shed.
Genesis 3:21 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The LORD God made tunics of [animal] skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them.
Blood Sacrifices Before the Ten Commandments
God’s desire to have a family, a people, who would love, honor, and obey Him continued even though mankind was rebellious. Just as He had wanted to bless Adam and Eve with a beautiful garden and dominion over all of the earth, He still had that same desire. We are told in Genesis 12 that God chose a man named Abram to start His earthly family. He made a covenant with Abram and promised him wonderful things for his life.
Genesis 12:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV)
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:2-3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
And [a]I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you [abundantly], And make your name great (exalted, distinguished); And you shall be a blessing [a source of great good to others]; 3 And I will bless (do good for, benefit) those who bless you, And I will curse [that is, subject to My wrath and judgment] the one who curses (despises, dishonors, has contempt for) you. And in you all the families (nations) of the earth will be blessed.”
Abram was 75 years old when God spoke these promises to him and Sarai, his wife, had never had a child. When he was 99 years old, God changed his name to Abraham, a father of many nations. Sarai’s name became Sarah. Twenty-five years after the promise was given, Isaac was born to Sarah. Then when the boy was 13 years old, God told Abraham to make Isaac a burnt sacrifice to him.
In faith that God would provide a lamb for the sacrifice, Abraham traveled to the designated mountain with all preparations for making a burnt sacrifice. He told the men with him that he and the boy would return from the mountain. When Isaac asked where the sacrificial lamb was, Abraham replied.
Genesis 22:8,13 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself [a]a lamb for the burnt offering.” So the two walked on together.
Abraham was ready to thrust a knife into his son when he saw in a bush God’s provision for the sacrifice.
Then Abraham looked up and glanced around, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering (ascending sacrifice) instead of his son.
An angel spoke from heaven after this was accomplished, and again confirmed the promise that a blessing to all people would come through Abraham’s seed.
Genesis 22:18 New King James Version (NKJV)
“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
Blood of a Lamb Protected the Israelites from Death
When the Jewish people were waiting for Pharoah, the king of Egypt, to release them from slavery, God told Moses and Aaron that the final plague He would send on the entire Egyptian nation would be the death of the firstborn of all people and of their herds. This plague would bring both deep sorrow and severe financial loss. God gave Moses specific instructions for the Jewish people, so this plague would not come to their homes. They were to select a spotless lamb, kill it, and wipe its blood on the top and side door posts of their houses.
Exodus 12:13 New King James Version (NKJV)
Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
Exodus 12:13 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The blood shall be a sign for you on [the doorposts of] the houses where you live; when I see the blood I shall pass over you, and no affliction shall happen to you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
This dramatic event became known as The Passover and has been observed yearly by the Jewish people throughout their history. It was the lamb’s blood applied to their houses that God honored as a sign of their obedience
to Him, and it brought salvation of their firstborn when all others in Egypt were killed.
God Required Animal Sacrifices
When the Jewish people (the Israelites) were traveling from Egypt through the wilderness to their Promised Land, God spoke to Moses about laws that would govern them. He gave them the ten commandments and many other laws they were to observe.
Exodus 24:5-8 New King James Version (NKJV)
Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the LORD. And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient.” And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words.”
Yearly Atonement for Sin
Under the Old Covenant, Aaron, the High Priest, performed a ritual once a year to cover, to atone, or to appease God for the sins of the people. This Day of Atonement is called Yom Kippur and continues to be observed by the Jewish people to our present time.
Exodus 30:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Once a year Aaron shall make atonement [for sin] on its horns. He shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”
Shedding of Blood is Necessary for Forgiveness
We see that before and during the time of the Old Covenant, blood was a part of the requirements for dealing with man’s sins. In Hebrews, a summary statement is made about this reality.
Hebrews 9:22 New King James Version (NKJV)
And according to the law almost all things are [a]purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no [b]remission.
Hebrews 9:22 Amplified Bible (AMP)
In fact under the Law almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness [neither release from sin and its guilt, nor cancellation of the merited punishment.
Pure Blood Required by God
There were numerous prophecies foretelling the coming of the Messiah who would bring salvation to the Jews. Since all men inherit the sin nature from Adam, it was necessary for a pure seed to bring a man-child that would not carry that sin nature. Isaiah prophesied the virgin birth of the Messiah hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth.
Isaiah 7:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.[a]
Isaiah 7:14 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the [a]virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us).
The promised blessing through Abram to “all families of the earth” was a declaration of Jesus, the Messiah. When you read the genealogy of Jesus as recorded in Matthew chapter 1, you can see the lineage from Abraham, to David, the king of Israel, and finally to Joseph, Mary’s husband.
Matthew 1:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.
Matthew 1:18-21 New King James Version (NKJV)
Christ Born of Mary
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being [a]a just man ,and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is [b]conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name [c]JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
In Luke’s gospel, we read of the angelic visit to Mary before she married Joseph.
Luke 1:30-33 New King James Version (NKJV)
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
John the Baptist Declares Jesus’ Identity
In the apostle John’s writing about the life of Jesus, it is recorded that John the Baptist made a declaration when he saw Jesus.
John 1:29 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God [a]who takes away the sin of the world!
Jesus Announces a New Blood Covenant
The disciples and Jesus went into Jerusalem at the time of The Passover to observe this all-important Jewish celebration. While they were eating the meal, Jesus took bread and offered it to the disciples saying it was his body. Then he took a cup of wine and told them to drink it as a representation of His blood of a new testament or covenant.
Matthew 26:28 New King James Version (NKJV)
For this is My blood of the [a]new covenant, which is shed for many for the [b]remission of sins.
Matthew 26:28 Amplified Bible (AMP)
for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a [a] substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus is Crucified
Jesus was betrayed by Judas, one of the disciples, arrested by the Roman soldiers, falsely accused, severely beaten, and ultimately crucified. During these events, he suffered, bled, and finally died on the cross. After he died, one of the Roman soldiers took a spear and pierced his side. Blood and water flowed out. This had been prophesied by Zechariah. (Zechariah 12:10)
John 19:34 Amplified Bible (AMP)
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came [flowing] out.
Jesus’ Blood Bought our Forgiveness
The ninth chapter of Hebrews gives a complete explanation of what Jesus did to become our High Priest and to be the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. He was and is the mediator of the New Covenant with man.
Hebrews 9:11-15 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Heavenly Sanctuary
But Christ came as High Priest of the good things [a]to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, [b]sanctifies for the [c]purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without [d]spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first
covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 9:11-15 Amplified Bible (AMP)
But when Christ appeared as a High Priest of the good things to come [that is, true spiritual worship], He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not a part of this [material] creation. He went once for all into the Holy Place [the Holy of Holies of heaven, into the presence of God], and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, having obtained and secured eternal redemption [that is, the salvation of all who personally believe in Him as Savior]. For if the sprinkling of [ceremonially] defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a [burnt] heifer is sufficient for the cleansing of the body, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal [Holy] Spirit willingly offered Himself unblemished [that is, without moral or spiritual imperfection as a sacrifice] to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the ever living God?
For this reason He is the Mediator and Negotiator of a new covenant [that is, an entirely new agreement uniting God and man], so that those who have been called [by God] may receive [the fulfillment of] the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has taken place [as the payment] which redeems them from the sins committed under the obsolete first covenant.
Hebrews 10:16-23 New King James Version (NKJV)
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is [a]remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
Hold Fast Your Confession
Therefore, brethren, having boldness[b] to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:16-23 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL IMPRINT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL INSCRIBE THEM [producing an inward change],”
He then says,
AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS ACTS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE [no longer holding their sins against them].”
Now where there is [absolute] forgiveness and complete cancellation of the penalty of these things, there is no longer any offering [to be made to atone] for sin.
A New and Living Way
Therefore, [a]believers, since we have confidence and full freedom to enter the Holy Place [the place where God dwells] by [means of] the blood of Jesus, by this new and living way which He initiated and opened for us through the veil [as in the Holy of Holies], that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great and wonderful Priest [Who rules] over the house of God, let us approach [God] with a true and sincere heart in unqualified assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word];
Remember, to atone means to cover. When God has no remembrance of our sin and where there is absolute cancellation, the result is entirely different.
Believing and Making Jesus Your Lord.
This New Covenant is between God and Jesus and those who have put their faith and trust in Him as God’s Son and have declared he is the Lord, King, Ruler, and Owner of their lives.
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter told the people they had greatly sinned by not accepting Jesus as their Messiah and by crucifying Him. He instructed them to repent, change their minds, and be baptized to remove their sins.
Acts 2:38 New King James Version (NKJV)
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [a]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 Amplified Bible (AMP)
And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Good News about Jesus Spreads to the Gentiles
The old law was given to Moses for the nation of Israel, the Jewish people. Jesus, himself declared that he was only sent to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel”. Matthew 15:24 However, the promise God made to Abraham was for “all nations of the earth” to be blessed through his seed.
In a vision, God showed the Apostle Peter that the gospel of Jesus was for everyone. Peter was asked to go to the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, a Gentile, who was considered unclean by the Jews. When he arrived at the house, he stated that he knew God intended for them to receive Jesus as Savior.
Preaching to Cornelius’ Household
Acts 10:28 New King James Version (NKJV)
Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Acts 10:28 Amplified Bible (AMP)
He said to them, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with or befriend a Gentile, or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I am not to call anyone common or [ceremonially] unclean.
Acts 10:34-38 New King James Version (NKJV)
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the [a]children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Acts 10:34-38 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Gentiles Hear Good News
Opening his mouth, Peter said:
“Most certainly I understand now that God is not one to show partiality [to people as though Gentiles were excluded from God’s blessing], but in every nation the person who fears God and does what is right [by seeking Him] is acceptable and welcomed by Him. You know the message which He sent to the sons of Israel, announcing [a]the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all— you know the things that have taken place throughout Judea, starting in Galilee after the baptism preached by John— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with great power; and He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
Results of the Finished Work of Jesus
The Apostle Paul wrote numerous letters of instruction and encouragement to the early Christians. He taught them about the changes in their position and relationship with God. The new relationship gave them a new identity, new blessings, new assurances of their salvation, acceptance, grace, and favor for everyday living. In short, he taught them about the abundant life that was now available to them as citizens of the kingdom of God in the earth.
The following scriptures also teach us about faith in Jesus, our right standing, righteousness, before God, the gift of grace, the function of Jesus’ blood, and the importance of confessing your belief in Jesus as your Lord.
Romans 3:21-25 New King James Version (NKJV)
God’s Righteousness Through Faith
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [a]and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified [b]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a [c]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Romans 3:21-25 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Justification by Faith
But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] [a]grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin]
which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] [b]sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion].
Romans 5:9-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Romans 5:9-11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the [a]wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]. Not only that, but we also rejoice in God [rejoicing in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received and enjoy our reconciliation [with God].
Romans 10:8-10 New King James Version (NKJV)
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:8-10 Amplified Bible (AMP)
But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word [the message, the basis] of faith which we preach— because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth
that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.
Faith Connects us to Abraham
In the book of Galatians, we learn that when we believe and have faith in God, we are considered to be “children of Abraham”.
Galatians 3:6-9 New King James Version (NKJV)
Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Galatians 3:6-9 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Just as Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS, [as conformity to God’s will and purpose—so it is with you also]. So understand that it is the people who live by faith [with confidence in the power and goodness of God] who are [the true] sons of [a]Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news [of the Savior] to Abraham in advance [with this promise], saying, “IN YOU SHALL ALL THE NATIONS BE BLESSED.” So then those who are people of faith [whether Jew or Gentile] are blessed and favored by God [and declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with Him] along with Abraham, the believer.
The Law Brings a Curse – Faith Brings Justification and the Promised Holy Spirit
No person could keep all of the old law but if one law was broken, the person was guilty of all of the law. The impossibility of keeping the law was a curse
and curses came upon him because of his imperfection. The new covenant is kept by faith not by works that a person performs.
Galatians 3:10-12 New King James Version (NKJV)
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that no one is [a]justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
Galatians 3:10-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
For all who depend on the Law [seeking justification and salvation by obedience to the Law and the observance of rituals] are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED (condemned to destruction) IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, SO AS TO PRACTICE THEM.” Now it is clear that no one is justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing] before God by the Law, for “THE RIGHTEOUS (the just, the upright) SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” But the Law does not rest on or require faith [it has nothing to do with faith], but [instead, the Law] says, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM [the things prescribed by the Law] SHALL LIVE BY THEM [instead of faith].”
Galatians 3:13-16 New King James Version (NKJV)
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Changeless Promise
Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.
Galatians 3:13-16 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written,
“CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS [crucified] ON A TREE (cross)”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith.
Intent of the Law
Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though a last will and testament is just a human covenant, yet when it has been signed and made legally binding, no one sets it aside or adds to it [modifying it in some way]. 16 Now the promises [in the covenants] were decreed to Abraham and to his seed. God does not say, “And to seeds (descendants, heirs),” as if [referring] to many [persons], but as to one, “And to your Seed,” who is [none other than] Christ.
Believer’s Identity – The Righteousness of God – Accepted – Redeemed – Forgiven
2 Corinthians 5:21 New King James Version (NKJV)
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 Amplified Bible (AMP)
He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious loving kindness].
In the Apostle Paul’s writing to Christians in Ephesus, he was addressing the result of the shedding of Jesus’ blood.
Ephesians 1:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV) 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He [a]made us accepted in the Beloved.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Ephesians 1:6-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
to the praise of His glorious grace and favor, which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved [His Son, Jesus Christ]. In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace
Delivered from the POWER of darkness
Colossians 1:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV) 13
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and [a]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption [b]through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)
For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].
The Divine Connection of grace, faith in Christ Jesus, the gift of salvation, and good works we were created to do for God.
Ephesians 2:8-10 New King James Version (NKJV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10 Amplified Bible (AMP)
For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
God’s Plan for You
God wrote a book about each person’s life before they were ever conceived. King David declared this in Psalms. We know that God’s plans vary with each person.
Psalm 139:14-16 New King James Version (NKJV)
I will praise You, for [a]I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My [b]frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
Psalm 139:14-16 Amplified Bible (AMP) I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was being formed in secret, And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were appointed for me, When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape].
Jeremiah 29:11 New King James Version (NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Living for God
When Jesus was asked about “working the works of God”, He answered in this way.
John 6:28-29 New King James Version (NKJV)
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
John 6:28-29 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Then they asked Him, “What are we to do, so that we may habitually be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered, “This is the work of God: that you believe [adhere to, trust in, rely on, and have faith] in the One whom He has sent.”
One of the most known verses in the Bible speaks of “believing in Jesus”.
John 3:16-17 New King James Version (NKJV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16-17 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He[even] gave His [One and] [a]only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.
The Love Relationship
Jesus also taught on several occasions about the importance to Him of obedience and faithfulness to his commandments as an expression of our love for him. When a person truly believes that Jesus was the Son of God, a part of the three-in-one God of all creation, you will believe what He has said, you will follow His example in living your life, and you will commit yourself to obey Him in all areas of life. For our devotion and obedience to Him, we are promised to be loved by Jesus, the Father will love us, and we will receive revelation of Him in our lives. He will be real to us. What could be a greater blessing than to experience Jesus’ manifest presence, personality, and power in your life?
John 14:21 New King James Version (NKJV)
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and [a]manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:21 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].”
The commandments of Jesus frequently involve doing some form of service to other people. He was always going about “doing good”. He is our example of unselfish care and help to those who are in need. If we could read what is written in our book in heaven, we would find God’s plans for us include acts of kindness and service to others. He also is able to abundantly provide for us so we have enough to give to others who are in need.
2 Corinthians 9:8 New King James Version (NKJV)
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 Amplified Bible (AMP)
And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.
Ephesians 2:10 New King James Version (NKJV)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)
For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
Jesus’ Blood Continually Cleanses
Keeping His commandments of loving Him, others, and ourselves is described as “walking in the light”. The Apostle John addresses this reality in I John 1:5-10. It is a very important scripture because it deals with the times when we don’t follow His commandments and we sin. The blood of Jesus is still working to cleanse and forgive in these circumstances. This is one of the most comforting scriptures in the whole Bible for who of us has not committed a sin after we made Jesus the Lord of our lives?
1 John 1:5-10 New King James Version (NKJV)
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 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.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
1 John 1:5-10 Amplified Bible (AMP)
This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection]. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness [of sin], we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. If we say that we have not sinned [refusing to admit acts of sin], we make Him [out to be] a liar [by contradicting Him] and His word is not in us.
The Blood of Jesus – Our Defense
One extremely important reality of the spirit world in which we live, is the role of the blood of Jesus as a defensive weapon. We have an enemy, Satan, and his army of fallen angels who accuse us and bring temptation, condemnation, shame, and guilt. They try to sow strife, hatred, fear, doubt, unbelief, and all manifestations of evil in people’s lives.
The Apostle John wrote about how believers can be victorious over Satan and his schemes by applying the power of the blood of Jesus, the Lamb, through their testimonies, confessions, and declarations.
Revelation 12:11 New King James Version (NKJV)
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Revelation 12:11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.
Summary
1. Since the time when Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, shed blood was used to cover man’s sins.
2. When Adam sinned, the sin nature came to all mankind.
3. Animal sacrifices were a part of worship to God in Abraham’s time, which was before the Ten Commandments were given to Moses.
4. Abraham was a man who believed what God told him. He even believed God would spare his son, Isaac, even though he was told to make Isaac a sacrifice.
5. God made a covenant with Abraham in which he was promised that through his seed all families of the earth would be blessed. This was a foretelling of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
6. Animal sacrifices were a part of the Old Covenant given to Moses for the Jewish nation. The High Priest made a blood sacrifice once a year to make atonement, covering, for the sins of the people.
7. Through all ages, the shedding of blood was necessary to atone for, to cover, the sins of people. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
8. Jesus did not have the sin nature as he was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit rather than by the action of a man.
9. The birth of Jesus was a miraculous event as he was born to a virgin named Mary.
10. John the Baptist announced the identity of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
11. Jesus announced a new covenant as he and his disciples ate the last supper together.
12. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus became the High Priest of all men. He is the mediator of a new covenant which provides the opportunity for forgiveness of all man’s sins.
13. Jesus entered the Holy of Holies in heaven, presenting his pure blood as payment for the sins of all men.
14. By believing Jesus is the Son of God and trusting in His blood as payment for our sins, and accepting His Lordship, we enter into the New Covenant with God.
15. The salvation Jesus provided is a free gift to all men, both Jews and Gentiles.
16. We are made righteous in the eyes of God when we have faith in the blood of Jesus as payment for all our sins and accept Jesus as Lord.
17. When we believe in our hearts that Jesus, God’s son, died and was raised from the dead, and confess with our mouths that belief, we will be saved.
18. Those who live by faith in Jesus are considered to be a part of Abraham’s family.
19. Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the Law of Moses, which no man could keep.
20. Jesus became a curse for us so that the blessing of Abraham, the Holy Spirit in us, could be manifest in our lives.
21. We can receive the promise of the Holy Spirit by faith.
22. Jesus Christ is the “seed” that God promised would be “the blessing for all people”.
23. Believers in Jesus are righteous before God.
24. Believers are accepted by God.
25. Believers are redeemed and forgiven by faith in the blood of Jesus.
26. Believers are delivered from the power of darkness, sin.
27. God wrote a book about each person before they were even conceived. He plans for each believer to fulfill His plan for their lives.
28. Many of God’s plans for people involved doing “good works” for others. Showing love, sharing the good news about Jesus, living according to God’s commandments.
29. Believers do the “works of God” when they maintain their belief and faith in Jesus and his shed blood.
30. Jesus promised He and Father God would be real to those who love and obey him.
31. The blood of Jesus continually cleanses all believers of the affects of sin when they confess their sins to God.
32. The blood of Jesus is a mighty defensive weapon against the devil and all of his accusations.
Written by Gil and Jane Burnett