Redemption Through His Blood

Redemption Through His Blood

I Peter 1:1-12 speaks of the mercy shown by God, the rebirth of man, and hope for the return of Christ who provides salvation from the troubles of this world.  I Peter 1:13-21, the key text of this article follows afterward and Peter establishes the following:

Do This:  “…gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:” (1 Peter 1:13-17)

Why? Because: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (I Peter 1:18-19)

How did that redemption come about? “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” (I Peter 1:20-21)

How can these verses be summarized?  Be holy like Christ because He redeemed us with His blood as part of a plan formed before the creation of man.

This statement should make the passage more understandable, but not knowing what the term redemption means can throw understanding out the window.  Therefore, consider the state of Oregon in the 1970’s.  Little boys often went out “treasure hunting”.  The search took place under porches, in trashcans, along the sides of the road, in parking lots, and numerous other locations.  The objective of the hunt was not gold nuggets but discarded aluminum cans and glass beverage bottles.  At one time the containers were desired and full of a variety of different beverages, and then the consumers tossed them aside as emptied and forgotten shells.  What more value could exist?  For hands willing to work to find that which was lost, the valueless equated to treasure!  The stores who originally owned the vessels gladly bought them back for $0.05, $0.10, or even $0.25 apiece depending on their size.  The lost became found and that considered worthless ended up bought for a price so it could once again fulfill a useful purpose.  The buying back represents redemption.

The redemption of mankind through the Blood of Christ parallels the “treasure hunting” example in many ways, but the history of redemption through His blood demonstrates the greatest act of love ever committed.  Christ purchased what had become worthless.  Through Him by an established plan, the worthless became holy.  More than a possession or slave, the redemption by Christ’s blood, causes man to become a son of God as Paul describes in Galatians 4:4-7.

How did man go from being in the image of God to needing redemption?  (Genesis 1:26)

In the beginning, God made life very simple for man.  He told them to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and have dominion over its life forms (Genesis 1:28).  Man existed fully alive, spiritually and physically.  Understand God established man as chief over all the earth. This directly related to His plan.  In addition to God’s positive commands for man, he also gave them a negative command.  “…from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat”.  Man ignored God’s command and as punishment man received death (Genesis 2:17).  The death of man unfolded in two ways.  First, spiritual death occurred immediately.  Spiritual death can be understood as man’s sin separating him from abiding with God (Isaiah 59:1-2).  Second, man, later physically died returning to the dust from which he was made (Genesis 3:19).  Man sells himself to Satan through disobedience to God – Sin!  Based on the sin of Adam, man found himself in need of purification, justification, reconciliation, and sanctification.  He went from the valuable image of God to a state of worthlessness.

Only by God’s mercy and grace did He set a price for redemption.  Blood became the price for sin and since life is in the blood, according to Genesis 9:4, life became forfeit.  Notably with the sin of Adam, not only did man forfeit his spiritual and physical life, but animals forfeited their life to clothe Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21).  Sacrificing of animals can be seen in the Patriarchal Age with Able (Genesis 4), Noah (Genesis 8), and Abraham (Genesis 22).  However, only in Job 1:5 can sacrifices clearly be seen to be tied to sin.  Why blood?  By speculation, it seems that the greatest thing of value upon earth is life.  King David would later point out in Psalm 49:6-9 that no amount of wealth could redeem mankind from his sins.  God set redemption value of man much higher.

All men sin (Romans 3:23) and their lives being forfeit already (Romans 6:23) cannot atone for sin.  The thought of offering up innocent children to redeem man offends God (Deuteronomy 12:31) and would still mean the continual death of man, a life for a life, which God does not desire.  Thus, the lives of animals were required to atone for man’s disobedience.  Yet, recall, according to His plan, God made man chief over animals.  Animal blood does not share equal value with man’s blood (Matthew 6:26) and it cannot take away man’s sins (Hebrews 10:1-4). Their sacrifice could only cleanse the flesh by a forgiveness which still required constant reminder of the forfeit life, leaving a conscience still stained and physical death still looming.

What could be done to alter man’s condition (Romans 7:24)?  Knowing neither riches nor the sacrifice of animals equal the life of a man, it can be seen God had a permanent solution in mind for mankind.  Evidence exists that the patriarchs had a firm belief that God would redeem them.  Job 19:25-27 – “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!”  Thus, the patriarchs walked by faith.  Genesis 26:5 “…Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”  Yes, there was law before the Mosaic Law and righteous men followed it by faith believing they would be redeemed from their sin giving them perfect life again.

Before the end of the Patriarchal age, God promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (Genesis 12:1-3).  That seed, according to the Hebrew author, was the Redeemer, the Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:16)  As time would stretch into the Mosaic Age, prophecies would make it clear there would be a redeemer for the sins of the world (Deuteronomy 18:18, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Jeremiah 31:31-34, I John 2:2).  How did He have such value that His blood would be accepted as redemption for the forgiveness of sins of all? (Matthew 26:28, Colossians 1:14)  How could a single life redeem innumerable lives making the worthless represent great value?  The priceless value came from the fact that He was sinless, from eternity, and God (I Peter 2:21-22, Micah 5:2, Isaiah 9:6-7).  His life is worth more than all mankind and all animal life for all time.  After all, the creation cannot be greater than the creator and only He can redeem it.  The redemption of man demonstrates how much God loves the life of man.

Redemption did not occur right away.  It needed to begin at the right time, the fullness of time (Romans 5:6, Galatians 4:4).  Men were not walking by faith as they should (Habakkuk 2:4).  So God chose a people to be an example unto the world.  He chose a people so he could show His wrath, power, and blessing (Romans 9:21-24).  God gave them the Law of Righteousness, the Law of Moses, but when they faltered it held them under their sins. (Galatians 3:19-22).  This function was to bring the people to Christ.

Galatians 3:23-29 – But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Figuratively, this brought man to Christ because the many ordinances of the law caused sin to increase (Romans 5:20).  Those under the law were cursed by their actions and no manner of righteous works or sacrifices could remove the curse (Deuteronomy 27).  Thus, the Israelites were to learn to walk by faith as Christ would live (Galatians 3:11).  Literally, the Law of Moses functioned to bring the nation of Israel to the time when the new covenant would be delivered (Jeremiah 31:31).  According to Hebrews 9:15-16, until Jesus died upon the cross the new covenant could not come with the justifying blood of Jesus.

The men of earth who were not of Israel, knew of God from the Patriarchs, prophets sent to them (such as Jonah or Nahum), or by hearing of the blessings and curses which fell upon Israel by God.  Some would proselyte and join the nation of Israel.  Others would walk by faith in what they heard of God.  Regardless of their choice, when they did not walk by faith, destruction stood was guaranteed.

When the Redeemer arrived, the faith Christ exhibited toward God enabled Him to go to the cross voluntarily to be offered as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind.  Through his obedient faith, He became the author of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:8-9), obtaining eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:12-15 – “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 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?  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

Christ provided a pure sacrifice of love by giving His own life by blood for all mankind.  The conscience of man once stained by a continual remembrance of sin through sacrifice could now be free.  Yet, how can man come into contact with the blood which eternally cleanses?  I Peter 3:21 declares baptism in water saves a man as an appeal through the resurrection of Jesus for a good conscience.  Why does man appeal through baptism for his conscience?  Romans 6:3-7 provides that answer in observing man is united with Christ’s death and resurrection in baptism.  When united with Jesus death, man contacts His blood.  Thus, Hebrews 10:22, discusses baptism as a sprinkling of the heart (purging of the conscience) which reflects back to purification by blood as in past ages.

After contacting the blood of Christ, the requirement, to remember the “life forfeiting works” committed beforehand, no longer exists.  Free from sin, man can focus on serving God.  Those who lived by faith before Christ were cleansed by the fulfilled promise of a redeemer.  For those under the law, redemption from the curse of the law made them free again.  For those who would sin in the future, eternal redemption existed for those accepting it.  The sacrifice of Jesus enables mankind to look with hope to their eternal inheritance and not look back to dwell on their failure.

The sacrifice of Jesus was not the end of the redemption process.  Following the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit of promise was poured out on mankind.  Ephesians 1:14 states the Spirit was “given as an earnest [pledge] of inheritance until redemption of the purchased possession.”  Ephesians 4:30 speaks of a future “day of redemption” while Romans 8:23 speaks of the redemption of our bodies.  Mankind can be cleansed through the blood of Christ, but they are still under the curse of physical death stretching back to the days of Adam.  On Earth’s final day, the resurrection day, by the power of Jesus, man will overcome death.  “Oh death where is your victory?  Oh Hades where is your sting?”  (I Corinthians 15:55)  The Redemption process will come to a close.  Man will have full life as in the beginning and then be changed in the twinkling of an eye (I Corinthians 15:52).  Until that final day, through eternal redemption the Christian can be cleansed of further sin through Christ’s blood.  The Christian simply need acknowledge the sin and continue to walk by faith as God has required from the beginning (I John 1:6-2:2).

Early on an example of boys collecting worthless cans was mentioned.  Those boys took the time to see value in what others simply tossed away.  God always saw value in the life of men.  Thus, His plan of redemption by blood existed before the creation of man.  By God’s mercy He does not immediately reject man as worthless, but they have and do reject Him.  They choose to ignore the value God places upon them.  However, for those that desire to be priceless possessions of God and walk by Faith, God bestows sonship and eternal life with Him through the blood of Christ.

In closing, consider the words of Paul regarding redemption through Jesus our Redeemer:

Romans 8:10-14 – “And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.  So then, brethren we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh – for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die: but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will life.  For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Redemption Through His Blood

Sometimes the Devil Wears a Dress

The other day I was talking to a neighbor discussing the problem many (if not all) folks
have with temptation and sin. My friend made reference to the image of Satan coming
to visit us with a pointed tail and a pitchfork. I looked at my friend and replied,
“Sometimes the devil wears a dress.”

The image we have of Satan as a monster, a dark under lord who casts fear upon all
he encounters is not at all realistic. Sure the Bible refers to him as a serpent (Genesis
3:4, 14; Revelation 20:2), as a dragon (Revelation 12:3, 9) and as a lion (1 Peter 5:8).
But these are descriptive of who he really is (a liar, murder and prince of darkness) and
not how he manifests himself to us today.

The truth is Satan, temptation and sin are made to appear beautiful to behold and
wonderful to engage in. Consider what is said in 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the
Father, but is of the world.” Paul wrote to the church at Corinth and told them of “false
apostles” and “deceitful workers” who were able to transform “themselves into apostles
of Christ.” Then he said that this should not surprise them, “For Satan himself
transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers
also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

I recall a preacher once saying that the reason people sin is because it feels good.
Folks engage in sins of the flesh because it feels good. Many look upon evil things
because they are beautiful to behold. People lie, cheat and steal because they can then
get what they want. Alcohol and drug use make us cool and give us a high. If sin felt
bad (like walking around hitting yourself in the head with a hammer) no one would do it.  Hebrews 11:25 speaks of Moses and how he chose not to “enjoy the pleasures of sin.”

However, it is important for us to remember that this is simply how Satan tempts us into sin. The beauty and good feelings are only temporary and deceiving. In this case
beauty really is only skin deep. The Bible is right about who Satan really is and we
should not be “ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). In order to do that we have
to look below the surface of sin and see it the way God sees it.

Satan and sin may look good at the present…but it only leads to heartache and
disappointment. Look around! Where you see sin you will find crime, poverty, broken
homes and shattered dreams. There you might just see Satan then as the evil creature
he truly is! Ultimately the unrepentant sinner will find himself with the evil one for
eternity in the place God has prepared for him (Matthew 25:41). Be faithful!

Posted in Tim Dooley | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Sometimes the Devil Wears a Dress

A Desire to Grow

Every congregation that I have ever been privileged to work with as the preacher has expressed the desire to grow numerically. This is good but other things are just as important and ought to be considered also. Not only should each congregation have a desire to grow in numbers but each church ought to desire to grow spiritually as well. One thing for sure, a congregation in its plans and desires must not do one good work while ignoring other works of equal importance. The religious leaders (i.e. leaders of the Jews) had a problem of this very nature as Luke points out – cf. Luke 11:42, “But woe unto you Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” (ASV)

CORRECT MOTIVES:  Whenever any decision by the congregation is made regarding programs and objectives that will increase the membership it is well to remember the statement by Paul – cf. Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, (do) all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (ASV)

This statement by Paul encourages disciples to make sure that the Lord approves any action engaged in by the church. Regardless of the apparent good that a suggested program might do to bring in more numbers to the assemblies, if it is unauthorized by the Lord it must be rejected. Our motives in seeking greater numbers must be pure and scriptural, the increase in the size of the membership is good but if we work purely for selfish reasons our labors will be unacceptable – cf. 1 Corinthians 1:29-31, “that no flesh should glory before God. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

May each Christian put forth maximum effort to build up the membership, remember though, growth consists in more than numbers alone. Real growth consists in numbers, in spirituality, and in maturity. Growth is a desirable concept for the congregation but growth without proper direction and motives cannot be successful. Each congregation may grow but it should grow in all areas noted in our study. As Peter encouraged the Christians to do in – cf. 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him (be) the glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (ASV) Whenever a congregation is growing it ought to be evident that the membership is growing numbers, in spirituality, and in maturity. The Lord is pleased whenever a church is growing, as it should. We surely have a desire to please our Lord, don’t we? May we each contribute of our time, money, and effort so that the church will grow as our Lord and Master would have it grow.

Posted in Garreth L. Clair | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on A Desire to Grow

Imitate Jesus Christ

The apostle Paul called upon mankind to imitate himself (I Corinthians 4:16, Philippians 3:17), others who served God (Hebrews 6:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9), and the Churches of God (I Thessalonians 2:14).  However, hear his ultimate call: “Imitate Jesus Christ!” (I Corinthians 11:1).

Paul addressed the Thessalonians in I Thessalonians 1:6, noting they imitated Jesus Christ.  Though persecution came to them, they joyfully embraced the inspired Word of God.  Three verses earlier, Paul praised them for three behaviors: their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope.  By these, the Thessalonians demonstrated unity with Christ.

To students of scripture, the words imparted to James by the Holy Spirit, “Even so, faith, if it has no works, is dead, by itself”, do not bring surprise.  To those who believe Christ accepts them even with their lack of service, a sad ignorance exists.

Galatians 2:16 – “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

A man can do nothing by his own design to justify himself in the sight of God.  The law demonstrated this fact.  Man’s justification comes from Christ’s faith.  Christ lived the Law of Moses without bringing its curse upon Him (Deuteronomy 27:26).  What He did (John 5:30) and the blessings He brought upon all mankind (Genesis 22:18) came only through obedience to God.  Jesus trusted God the Father and His works demonstrated His Faith.  Man’s faithful obedience earns nothing, but as in all ages, men who walk by faith shall live (Hebrews 10:38).  They live through the faith of Jesus the Messiah.  They live faithfully when they imitate Jesus Christ.

When Jesus declared in Matthew 16:24 that man must “deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me”, no one believed they would live a life of ease.  Jesus labored while upon the earth.  Jesus found persecution around every corner.  He let his disciples know they should expect the same (John 15:18-20).  Still, Jesus declared the labor done in obedience to God was easy and light (Matthew 11:28-30).

John 17:22-26 – “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.  O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.  And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Jesus demonstrated the labor of love.  God loves Jesus.  God loves the world.  Jesus desired we experience the same love so we might be one with the Father.  Jesus states very clearly in John 14:15, our labor demonstrates our love toward Him.  When we engage His labor of love, we imitate Jesus Christ.

Jesus exemplifies the steadfastness of hope which the Thessalonians employed.  Through Jesus work of faith and His labor of love, He knew He would die being rejected by those He came to save and do so through great suffering (Matthew 8:31).  Yet, He had hope.  On the day of Pentecost, Peter spoke of Jesus’ hope prophesied by King David over a thousand years before.

Acts 2:25-28 – “For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in Hades, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.”

Clearly, Jesus hope rested in the Father that He would not remain in the grave.  He completely believed in the joy of being again with the Father and experiencing the glory of Heaven again (John 17:5).  Those washed in the blood of Christ hold to the hope of resurrection as Christ himself experienced resurrection (I Corinthians 15).  On the final day of the earth’s existence, those who imitate Jesus Christ will rise to meet him in the clouds (I Thessalonians 4:17).

The apostle Paul, following the steps of Jesus, provides a pattern for everlasting life (I Timothy 1:15-16).  He commends the Thessalonians for walking in the pattern.  Within the pages of scripture, “the faith which was once for all delivered” (Jude 3) exists that all men might strive to obtain it.  Passages such as Ephesians 5 and others provide a very clear picture of what it means to engage in a work of faith, a labor of love, and the steadfastness of hope.  In their simplest form, they declare “Imitate Jesus Christ”.  Pick up the Bible today and learn to walk the footsteps of God.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Imitate Jesus Christ

Are There Apostles Today?

In the Bible, we read of the apostles.  They were the closest of the Lord’s followers.  But, what made an apostle or what were the qualifications that made one into an apostle?  And, are there apostles today?

First, all apostles were required to have seen the risen Christ so that they could preach a resurrection of which he had himself been an eyewitness (1 Corinthians 9:1; Acts 4:33; Acts 1:8).

Second, an apostle had to be called and commissioned by the risen Lord directly: Hand picked (Luke 6:13; Acts 9:3-6; 13-15; Galatians 1:1).

Third, each was given the Comforter or Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).

Now, can anyone claim these things today?  No.

Also,  there were distinctive signs that apostles had which proved they were apostles.  Jesus gave them the ability to perform miraculous signs (Matthew 10:1-2; Acts 2:43; Acts 5:12).  Paul said that the “signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Corinthians 12:11-12).  And, the purpose of these miracles was to confirm the word of God (Mark 16:20).

Can anyone claim these things today?  No.

But, what about those who claim that they are apostles today?  Is there such a thing?  In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul said that there were “false apostles” who transformed (made or called) “themselves into apostles of Christ.”  In fact, the Apostle John said that there were apostles who were tested to see if they were apostles and were found to be liars (Revelation 2:2).

Can anyone claim to be an apostle today?  Yes.

Does that make them a true apostle?  No.

Conclusion: There are no apostles today because they had to see Jesus after He arose from the dead and no one has.  The last person to see Jesus was the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:7-9).  There are no apostles today because apostles had to be hand picked and since Jesus does not appear to people today, He is not hand picking anyone.  There are no apostles today because no one has the miracle working power of an apostle.  The apostles were able to heal any physical condition on the spot including recreating body parts and resurrecting from the dead (Acts 3:1-9; Acts 9:36-42).  No case was too difficult.  But, no one has this type of miracle working power today.

Posted in Robert Notgrass | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Are There Apostles Today?