"Without the Shedding of Blood" November 17 Readings: Ezekiel 40, Hebrews 9, Psalm 124, Proverbs 28:7–9

By


Today's Readings - Ezekiel 40, Hebrews 9, Psalm 124, Proverbs 28:7–9


Devotional - Without the Shedding of Blood 


There is no doctrine more precious or abused than that of the love of God. It is glorious beyond words that God loves me and has acted by his grace to save me. Praise God! But the doctrine is twisted and perverted as well into the idea that God has no standards, that he doesn't care about our sin. God's love does not abrogate his holy standards. In fact, God's love properly understood exalts both God's love and his holiness.

There are two facts we must never forget. First of all, someone has to pay for our sins. God will not, by his holy nature he cannot simply look the other way and ignore our sins. His righteousness cries out against sin and demands payment, demands atonement. "The wages of sin is death," Paul said in Romans. Here, the author of Hebrews makes a bold assertion.
...and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22
Because of sin, blood had to be shed. The Old Testament sacrificial system required that offerings be made. It is not that God is cruel, but that sin is such an offense, such a violation of God's creation, of God's holy character, that a sacrifice must be made. But the Old Testament sacrifices never completely conquered sin. They had to be offered repeatedly and did not eternally cover sin.

But Jesus offered "better sacrifices than these" which permanently and eternally paid for our sins. That is the second fact, "Jesus paid it all." His one sacrifice did what all the Levitical sacrifices in Israelite history could not do, he completely atoned for all our sins.

That is how the love of God is demonstrated. God doesn't just ignore our sin - because of his holiness, he cannot do that. But he loved us so much he sacrificed his Son to pay for our sins. No greater love has ever been seen in this world.

Thank you for your love, Father, which paid the debt for my sins by the once-for-all sacrifice of your Son. I am loved eternally, completely and radically. All I can say is thank you, and give myself completely to you. 


Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?


There are three responses to the consideration of the blood of Christ.
First, praise and thank God that your sins are forgiven - fully, infinitely, and eternally.
Second, see that you are not using this as an excuse for living a careless, sinful life. Jesus didn't die on the Cross so you could live in sin. He died to free you.
Finally, "love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all." The only appropriate response to the blood of Christ is to fully give yourself to him.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Battle Begins" February 9 Readings: Numbers 31-36

By
Image
   Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Numbers 31-36 Background:    We wrap up our reading of Numbers today with another difficult reading. Chapter 31 tells of a war with Midian and then the journeys of Israel are recounted in detail. The boundaries of the Promised Land are spelled out - far larger than modern Israel. Then we read of the founding of the cities of refuge and the inheritance of Zelo...
Read more

"Not Many Wise" October 6 Readings: 1 Corinthians 1

By
Image
  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Corinthians 1 Background:    Introduction to the Book of 1 Corinthians Paul started a lot of churches. He had great churches like Philippi and Ephesus, who brought him constant joy, who demonstrated the fruit of the Spirit and a passion for the gospel. He had the Bereans who searched the Scriptures to see if what he preached was true. He started churches in Thess...
Read more

"He Prayed for ME!" September 2 Readings: John 17

By
Image
  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   John 17 Background:    John 17 is truly "The Lord's Prayer." This is the prayer that the Lord prayed the night before he died, pouring out his heart to the Father on behalf not only of his disciples but for all of us who would follow. Daily Devotional:   He Prayed for ME! The night before Jesus died, just before he agonized in the Gard...
Read more