I have found that most Christians are unaware of the true meaning and significance of the cross of Christ. Let’s review a few scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to teach our hearts. Warning; this message is offensive! See Galatians 5:11.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Notice that the message of the cross is “the power of God”. If it is the power source for Christians then we had better understand it. I cannot say I personally understand it fully. Truly understanding the cross and living the crucified life, I believe, will take a lifetime. So this paper is only a taste of a partial understanding.
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
This is why this paper will fall painfully short in understanding the cross. It cannot be explained with “wisdom of words.” It must be experienced as well or the cross will be meaningless and void. Salvation itself and the power to live a sanctified life will not be in one’s life unless it is experienced.
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Jesus talked about the cross even though he had not gone to the cross yet. I’m sure the Jews were puzzled by the use of the word. To them, only the worst criminals were crucified on a cross. The cross meant only and shame. That is why it was a stumbling block to them. See Gal.3:13. Much could be written about Luke 9:23. It is a hard word and an offense to the hearer. We are called to deny ourselves. Even to the point of a daily to self. We need to examine ourselves daily to see if we served self or Jesus Christ. A high calling but well worth it as Jesus went on to say in the next verse.
Luke 9:24 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Let’s forget about the benefits of the cross life for a moment. Consider this verse.
Matt. 10:38 He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
We are not even worthy of being called Christians if we don’t walk the crucified life.
The most basic meaning of the message of the cross is that we must die to self and live unto God. If we have truly died to self, how can we live any longer in sin? Any kind of sin. All self interest must die.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
The crucified life means the things of the world no longer have any interest to me. I’m to the world and it is to me.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Not only the things of the world but our fleshly desires as well.
Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
Some would say this is too hard of a word. I cannot do it!! You’re right. YOU cannot. But God, through the Holy Spirit working in you, you CAN do it!
2 Corinthians 13:4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
God has given this power to live for Christ by the work of the cross. This work was finished by God Himself, Jesus Christ, by the shedding of His at the cross. Now we have peace with God. We become His children. He dwells within us by the Holy Spirit. The work of the cross, Christ crucified, opened the legal door for God to operate in our lives.
Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the of His cross.
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
I am determined to preach, and live, this message, even if it does offend, because it is the power of God for salvation first and the message for walking in holiness second. I challenge all who read this to do likewise.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Blood Atonement
The Blood Atonement
If you asked most Christians today the following question, “How exactly does Jesus save us?” You would probably get a lot of different answers. Most people don’t realize that there is a specific reason why Jesus had to come to the earth in human form; go to the cross, and die the way he did.
The reason why he had to do all this is because the shedding of blood was required by God the Father for the forgiveness of sin. Most people believe if they come before God on judgment day and simply say they are sorry for their sin, then God will just forgive them and let them into heaven. But that is not God‘s way for forgiveness. God has clearly laid out in the Bible exactly how we are to come to him and the conditions for forgiveness of sins. Since he is the creator he makes the rules, not us. We cannot devise our own plan of salvation. The reason we cannot create our own salvation plan is because we think that sin is no big deal. But sin is a big deal to a Holy and righteous God. Sin is so evil and horrible in His eyes that God requires a high price for His forgiveness. He requires a huge penalty for sin. Romans 6:23 says the penalty for sin is death. Forgiveness is only for those who believe that their death penalty was paid for by the shed blood of God Himself, Jesus Christ at the cross. The entire Bible points to this fact.
In the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve sinned against God. They were separated from God. They felt guilty and naked.
Genesis 3:7,21 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. 21 Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
Fig leaves were an insufficient covering. God made tunics from animal skins, he shed blood of the animals to make the skins.
In the story of Cain and Abel found in Genesis Chapter 4. Abel’s sacrifice to God was accepted because he sacrificed animals, blood was shed. Cain’s sacrifice was not accepted because it was only the fruit of the ground. Cain became angry. God told him that he would accept a proper sacrifice. But Cain thought his good work should be good enough, just the same way man thinks today, and he rejected God’s way. The end result was Cain became so angry he killed his brother Abel. God had to punish Cain.
Leviticus 17:11 God said, For 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.’
Atonement means to take action to make things right for things done wrong.
Believers in the old testament had to sacrifice animals (shed their blood) to be atoned (forgiven for their sins).
Hebrews 9:22 (Amplified Bible)
22 …under the Law almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins.
Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law at the cross. We could not. We cannot live a sinless life like he did. Since he fulfilled the requirements of the Law we no longer have to sacrifice or shed the blood of animals for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus set us free from that! Can you imagine having to go to the market and buy a bull or goat to sacrifice!
God’s wrath is upon those who are without the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The following verses will tell you that God doesn’t let everyone into heaven just because he’s a loving God. Those who die without the blood of Christ will receive a great punishment. They can escape this punishment if they receive and trust in, by faith, the blood atonement of Christ.
John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Jesus laid down his life, shed his blood and died in our place so we would not have to receive judgment from God.
Romans 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Propitiation means to escape God’s wrath. Old testament example is the Passover. In the book of Exodus chap. 11&12. Blood was spread on the door posts to escape God‘s judgment. The Egyptians first born all died. They did not have the Passover blood.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
1 John 1:7 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.
Acts 20:26-28 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
We must preach the whole counsel of God especially of the benefits of the blood shed by Jesus at the cross. By His blood we have justification, reconciliation, propitiation, redemption and forgiveness. Jesus paid the price for our souls with his blood. Now we belong to Him, not ourselves.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
…your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, you are not your own. For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Before Jesus went to the cross he taught about the importance of what he was about to do at the cross. During the “last supper” he revealed the importance of the future shedding of His blood.
Matthew 26:27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Taking communion is a remembrance of all the things Christ accomplished for us by the shedding of his blood. Once for all. A remembrance that the new covenant has been ratified. His shed blood is the only hope we have to obtain right standing with God. This is God’s way to receive forgiveness.
The Bible warns us about taking this message of the blood atonement too lightly. I cannot convince you of this intellectually, you must receive it by faith
Hebrews 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
We should fear God and his punishments if we willfully sin because of our careless disregard of His blood sacrifice.
Read also Hebrews chapters 9 and 10:1-23. Revelation 1:5, 5:9, 7:14, 12:11.
1 Peter 1:18,19. Ephesians 2:12,13.
Have you repented? Have you put your faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? Have you been purchased with His blood? Pray today for that privilege so you can have eternal life!
If you asked most Christians today the following question, “How exactly does Jesus save us?” You would probably get a lot of different answers. Most people don’t realize that there is a specific reason why Jesus had to come to the earth in human form; go to the cross, and die the way he did.
The reason why he had to do all this is because the shedding of blood was required by God the Father for the forgiveness of sin. Most people believe if they come before God on judgment day and simply say they are sorry for their sin, then God will just forgive them and let them into heaven. But that is not God‘s way for forgiveness. God has clearly laid out in the Bible exactly how we are to come to him and the conditions for forgiveness of sins. Since he is the creator he makes the rules, not us. We cannot devise our own plan of salvation. The reason we cannot create our own salvation plan is because we think that sin is no big deal. But sin is a big deal to a Holy and righteous God. Sin is so evil and horrible in His eyes that God requires a high price for His forgiveness. He requires a huge penalty for sin. Romans 6:23 says the penalty for sin is death. Forgiveness is only for those who believe that their death penalty was paid for by the shed blood of God Himself, Jesus Christ at the cross. The entire Bible points to this fact.
In the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve sinned against God. They were separated from God. They felt guilty and naked.
Genesis 3:7,21 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. 21 Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
Fig leaves were an insufficient covering. God made tunics from animal skins, he shed blood of the animals to make the skins.
In the story of Cain and Abel found in Genesis Chapter 4. Abel’s sacrifice to God was accepted because he sacrificed animals, blood was shed. Cain’s sacrifice was not accepted because it was only the fruit of the ground. Cain became angry. God told him that he would accept a proper sacrifice. But Cain thought his good work should be good enough, just the same way man thinks today, and he rejected God’s way. The end result was Cain became so angry he killed his brother Abel. God had to punish Cain.
Leviticus 17:11 God said, For 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.’
Atonement means to take action to make things right for things done wrong.
Believers in the old testament had to sacrifice animals (shed their blood) to be atoned (forgiven for their sins).
Hebrews 9:22 (Amplified Bible)
22 …under the Law almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins.
Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law at the cross. We could not. We cannot live a sinless life like he did. Since he fulfilled the requirements of the Law we no longer have to sacrifice or shed the blood of animals for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus set us free from that! Can you imagine having to go to the market and buy a bull or goat to sacrifice!
God’s wrath is upon those who are without the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The following verses will tell you that God doesn’t let everyone into heaven just because he’s a loving God. Those who die without the blood of Christ will receive a great punishment. They can escape this punishment if they receive and trust in, by faith, the blood atonement of Christ.
John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Jesus laid down his life, shed his blood and died in our place so we would not have to receive judgment from God.
Romans 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Propitiation means to escape God’s wrath. Old testament example is the Passover. In the book of Exodus chap. 11&12. Blood was spread on the door posts to escape God‘s judgment. The Egyptians first born all died. They did not have the Passover blood.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
1 John 1:7 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.
Acts 20:26-28 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
We must preach the whole counsel of God especially of the benefits of the blood shed by Jesus at the cross. By His blood we have justification, reconciliation, propitiation, redemption and forgiveness. Jesus paid the price for our souls with his blood. Now we belong to Him, not ourselves.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
…your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, you are not your own. For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Before Jesus went to the cross he taught about the importance of what he was about to do at the cross. During the “last supper” he revealed the importance of the future shedding of His blood.
Matthew 26:27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Taking communion is a remembrance of all the things Christ accomplished for us by the shedding of his blood. Once for all. A remembrance that the new covenant has been ratified. His shed blood is the only hope we have to obtain right standing with God. This is God’s way to receive forgiveness.
The Bible warns us about taking this message of the blood atonement too lightly. I cannot convince you of this intellectually, you must receive it by faith
Hebrews 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
We should fear God and his punishments if we willfully sin because of our careless disregard of His blood sacrifice.
Read also Hebrews chapters 9 and 10:1-23. Revelation 1:5, 5:9, 7:14, 12:11.
1 Peter 1:18,19. Ephesians 2:12,13.
Have you repented? Have you put your faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? Have you been purchased with His blood? Pray today for that privilege so you can have eternal life!
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