"WHY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IS PRECIOUS"
by ELD. A.D. HARRIS
"For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" - Matthew 26:28
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things.. but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot " - I Peter 1:18,19
The message of the Bible is the blood of Christ and its effects. Without it, there is no message of redemption, cleansing nor forgiveness of sins. With it, there is comfort and joy in the hope of Salvation (Hebrews 9:22). The word "precious"in I Peter 1:19 means "honorable" or valuable." Hence, there is nothing in the blood of Jesus that can be considered impure and dishonorable. There is nothing in the blood of Jesus that could poison the mind, pollute the soul and destroy the body. There is nothing in the blood of Christ that can cause shame and disgrace to those who are partakers thereof. Religion without the blood of Christ has proven to be deadly. The so-called "holy wars" have been instigated by religious zealots who were never affected by the blood of Jesus that gives freedom from guilt and liberty of the soul.
The Blood Of Christ Is Precious
Because It Redeems From The Curse Of The Law
I affirm at the onset the law that was given to Moses was holy, just and good (Romans 7:12) for only a holy, just and good God could give nothing less. However, the law is not the problem but rather man and the weakness of his flesh (Romans 8:3). When I refer to "man", I mean to say all mankind; both male and female, atheist, agnostic, infidel and Christian, pope or preacher, prince or peasant. None have any capacity to keep the law that was given to Moses.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way... (Isaiah 53:6) My friends, you may have a sincere desire to live according to God's standard of the law. However, desire to keep the law and "keeping" the law are far from being one and the same. A man under the Mosaic law may have the desire to keep the law, but one Sabbath he failed to keep holy therefore he was put to death (Exodus 31:15). This is the curse of the law, its penalty of condemnation to death. However, Christ Jesus is the end of the law for everyone that believeth (Romans 10:4). The other day, a lady asked me if I believed in the Ten Commandments and I told her "no." I believe in Jesus Christ, the one who fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17). I didn't intend to infuriate the woman by giving her the honest answer. However, she became livid, charging me of not having the love of God. This woman, like many other people, fails to understand that the law does not produce love and though the law is holy, it cannot produce a holy life. The law shows us the awful sinfulness of sin and righteousness of God but it is Christ, the Lamb of God that shows love, mercy and forgiveness. This same woman asked me if I could kill. I assured her that I could kill, steal, bear false witness, commit adultery and idolatry and it would prove me to be the big sinner that I am. Now if you asked me if it's all right to do all or only one of those "thou shalt nots", I emphatically say "God forbid" (Romans 6:1,2). But the blood of Christ is precious because it redeems us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13). The legalist whether he wears the name "Seventh Day Adventist" or "Baptist" only sees Christ as helping you keep the law. I, nor any other child of God, have nothing to do with keeping the law. Some will not preach this because they fear it will license God's people to sin. There are two major things wrong with this line of thought: (1) preaching what Christ did for us only produces a stronger desire to please this blessed One who loves us so dearly - I John 4:19; (2) sin is in our old nature and we will sin with or without a license - Romans 7:18,23.
The Blood Of Christ Is Precious
Because It Cleanses And Restores Broken Lives
When a person meets the conditions of "cleansing", which is the confession of their sin, that person is no longer defiled. A person cannot be clean, i.e., purified and defiled at the same time (I John 1:9). The blood of Christ is thorough and cleanses away all filth of sin. The forgiveness of I John 1:9 is not intended to mean the actual act of "pardon" that was accomplished in Christ upon our conversion but rather the confession of sins committed by the believer brings the sense of peace and restored fellowship that forgiveness provides. David, through godly sorrow, confessed his sins of adultery and murder and found restitution (Psalm 51:12,13,17). Oh, that man would have trust in the effectual cleansing of the blood of Jesus. Those who would say that David was no longer effective for the Lord would be denying the inspired Word of God. Although David had to live the rest of his days suffering the consequences of his action, it was God who determined the consequence and not man (II Samuel 12:9-14). David was restored to useful service. Read what the Lord did for David's sake (I Kings 11:12,13,32,34; 15:4; II Kings 19:34; 20:6; I Chronicles 17:19). Paul the Apostle said, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one... (Galatians 6:1). W.E. Vine says the word 'restore" means to "mend completely." Webster says the word "restore" means to "bring back to its former state." The person who fails to "restore" a brother or sister is proving that they themselves are not spiritual.
The Blood Of Christ Is Precious
Because It Heals The Sickness Of The Soul
The sickness that sin afflicted on the soul of man is fatal (Romans 5:12). Without divine help, there is no hope. Just as Naaman the leper thought the rivers of Damascus could help him more than Jordan, so men today suppose the self-help philosophies of man are better than the blood of Christ. "But he was wounded for our transgressions. ..and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).
Not Guilty By The Blood Of Christ
According to the law of Moses, a person was either guilty or not guilty of breaking the commandments. There was no state of being partially guilty nor was there a provision made that if one only broke five commandments he would only be stoned half to death. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all " (James 2:10). When God forgives the sinner, He forgives him of ALL his trespasses (Colossians 2:13). This means the believer is no longer guilty in God's eyes (Romans 8:1,2). The believer is legally justified by God, the Judge of the dead and the living. The believer no longer has the wrath of God abiding on him. There is now the Father, child relationship and God is pleased to have it so because of the blood of Jesus (Isaiah 53:10). "And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:39).
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