"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge
your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (Hebrews
9:14)
The “blood of Christ” is often
mentioned, but rarely understood. As it says in Leviticus 17:11, “The life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to
you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood
that makes atonement for the soul.” When we take the cup in
Communion or at a Passover Seder, we openly declare through what we have
done, that we accept Christ’s death; that He gives life to you and me.
He who is “without spot,” makes us clean in
the sight of God.
You have worth and dignity, purpose and meaning – in Christ. Down
deep, that feeling ("If I only was as good as other people") no longer
applies. The other false assumption ("I'm better than other people")
doesn't apply, either. "If anyone is in Christ, he
is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have
become new" (2nd Corinthians 5:17). You are made NEW in Him - but
on what grounds?
God, through His Son Jesus Christ, has made a contract (a covenant, a
testament) with each member of the human race, whenever and wherever we
have lived. If you live now and hear much about Christ, or for those who
lived 1,000 years before Christ who heard nothing, His cross provided
the means of ACCEPTANCE for every member of the human race. Some
understand more and some almost nothing at all, but all who are saved,
are RESCUED by the Blood of Jesus Christ. “Your
conscience” becomes purged of sin and you become useful to God.
The elements of a legal contract are interesting. These include - an
offer, acceptance, and a reasonable (valuable) "consideration." God the
Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, is offering eternal life to you,
and your response should be to accept that offer. A "consideration" is
something of great value, which you actually RECEIVE in response to your
acceptance of the offer.
We should really think about this: What could possibly be considered
VALUABLE to God? Our money means nothing to Him. The gold that is prized
so highly among humans, will simply be paving material for the streets
in eternity (Revelation 21:21). Stocks are nothing. Gemstones, coveted
here on earth, are to be mere building materials for the foundation and
entryways of the walls that protect our heavenly city (Revelation 21:19
& forward).
You might respond, "Well, I could offer Him - myself!" And, that's
good, because really, it's all you have. But (no offense intended), do
you have sufficient WORTH to satisfy God? In Revelation 5:4, John the
Apostle WEPT because "NO ONE was found worthy to
open and read (a certain) scroll, or
(even) to look at it." And that is our
problem. God is holy, perfect in every way, without sin or even the hint
of it, and HE is the standard for you and for me. We may be good, but
we’re not THAT good; not at all. We cannot save ourselves.
His command to Israel of long ago, was just the same as it is for you
and me, for He has not changed: "You shall be
holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). Down
inside, each one of us knows that we are flawed, "bent" (as C. S. Lewis
termed it), and not holy at all (except that in our vain pride, we
sometimes think we are).
We are valuable to Him (the Son of God DIED for you and for me), but
as sinners, an ACCEPTABLE price must be paid; one that will be the
valuable "consideration" mentioned earlier. Our value is just not great
enough to pay the price. Only Someone without sin could be sufficiently
VALUABLE, in order that payment might be made to rescue you and me.
We have that valuable Person in Jesus Christ. "For
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the
righteousness of God in Him" (2nd Corinthians 5:21). Jesus
Christ is the only sinless Person to ever walk this earth. He lived in
eternity as God, but then He also became a man, that our race might have
a Representative, a Champion, who would pay the price. The valuable
"Consideration" of God is Jesus Christ.
There's more. You will recall that a legal contract (one that is
enforceable in Court) also requires an offer and an acceptance. God the
Father offered His Son, Jesus Christ, to you on the cross. His blood,
His precious blood, was shed for you and for me. You are enabled to "become the righteousness of God in Him," but let’s
state this again: ONLY in Him.
Blaise Pascal, a mathematician and physicist who lived a short,
brilliant life during the early 1600's, proposed the "great wager." He argued that either God is (He exists)
or He is not (does not exist). If you take the bet that God exists
(you’re betting your life on this), and you’re right, you win –
everything. If you’re wrong, then you’ve lost – nothing. But, on the
other hand, you might wager that God does not exist. If you win, you
have won – nothing! But worse, if you are wrong, you will have lost –
everything. Pascal asked, "what have you to lose?"
If you have to bet your life (and we all do), wager on God!
I advise you to take the bet. REALLY place your bet on the living
God. "Christians" and non-Christians alike, need to come "alive" to
Jesus Christ. Will you accept Him - REALLY accept the Son of God, right
now? So many fill the pews of churches and yet live for themselves
instead of for Him. "How much more shall the blood
of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot
to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God"
(Hebrews 9:14). He will bring you up out of "dead
works" (religion without the LIFE of God in Christ) and make you
ALIVE in Him.
Rev. Billy Graham has referred to those who come forward at his
crusades, as "seekers." Some accept the
Lord, while others come forward out of curiosity, or because that’s what
a lot of other people are doing. It’s time to really give your LIFE to
Him. (After all, He gave HIS LIFE for you). Take the bet of Blaise
Pascal. Take the Contract offered by God. Take the gift of the precious
blood of Jesus. Breathe "yes" to Him and LIVE in Jesus Christ – forever.
Father, we take the Contract offered in Christ. We take the "bet"
of Blaise Pascal. Jesus, we love You, and we receive You now. I am
Yours, Lord, and I am so grateful that You are mine. Thank You, Father,
for the consideration You have given; the precious blood of Jesus
Christ. I worship You and praise Your Holy Name – now and forever. In
Jesus Name. Amen.
