Power in the Blood
There is Power in the Blood. How many times have we sung that song? For me, it has been numerous. How often do you think about the words of that song and what they mean in your life?
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15).
Paul encourages and admonishes us to sing with our spirit and understanding – using our intellect, our minds, and putting our innermost being, the core of who we are, in our singing. I realize the words in most of our songs are words of men, but most have their roots in the Word of God. We teach and admonish one another when we sing spiritual songs praising the Father (Colossians 3:16-17).
The words are there to edify and teach. Do we just hear the words, or are we listening? Do we just let the words roll off our tongues without a second thought? Or are we engaging our brains, considering the words and what they mean to us?
There is power in the blood of Jesus Christ! What does that mean? How does that work? God revealed to Noah and the world that life is in the blood (Genesis 9:4). “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient…” (Isaiah 1:18 -19a).
Those of you who have tried to remove blood stains from clothing know it is very difficult to do. Here is the wisdom and power of God: the blood of Jesus can wash sins that are as red as crimson, that a soul should be as white as wool. If they be like scarlet, He can make them as white as snow!
Zechariah speaks of a day when a fountain would be open, made available to wash sin and uncleanness (Zechariah 13:1). God was preparing and revealing His plan and will for man; He made it known, precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little there a little (Isaiah 28:10).
The inspired writer writes that under the Old Covenant the blood of bulls and goats were required by God. But why? To show us our need for Jesus: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14-15). There is power to live! Live, not according to the old man, but as a new man, to serve God appropriately in newness of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:20-24; Galatians 2:20; Romans 7:6). The power of a transformed life!
There is power in the blood of Christ to wash away my sins (Revelation 1:5; 7:14). Power to escape the dangers and corruption that leads to death (Romans 6:23). Justification and salvation from wrath are through His blood (Romans 5:9). Redemption and forgiveness of sins through His blood (Ephesians 1:7). He purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28).
How does this happen? We come in contact with the blood of Christ by faith (John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6). That faith is a trust and confidence in the Gospel of Christ, and prompts our response to His commands. Where did Jesus give His blood? Was it not in His death?
Consider the Apostle Paul’s teaching,
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 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. For he who has died has been freed from sin (Romans 6:3-7).
Please note we are:
- Baptized into His death (verse 3).
- Buried with Him through baptism into death (verse 4).
- United together (with Him) (verse 5).
Christ, in essence, says, “I will meet you in the watery grave of baptism,” setting one free from the chains of sin and the burden of guilt for our iniquity. We can have a clean conscience before God. Baptism is our answer to God, for we have obeyed His commands (1 Peter 3:21). Paul continues in Romans 6:11-14, describing what results is death to sin, but being alive in service to God through Jesus Christ. “For sin shall not have dominion over you” (verse 14). There is power over sin. Christians should reign over their bodies and desires.
All of this is available to you! Faithful Ananias brought this message to Saul of Tarsus, who had been fasting and praying for three days (Acts 9:9, 11). It is as true today as it was then. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord’” (Acts 22:16).
Have you called on the Lord, to wash away your sins in baptism? If not, why not? What are you waiting for? How may we assist you? There is power in the blood of Jesus!