In my developing years the Blood of Christ was central to Christian theology taught in churches and as the Hebrews rightly points out, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" Hebrews chapter 9 verse 22
Today though, I rarely hear this. What has been pushed to the rear in much of biblical teaching is this verse and central emphasis of Salvation: "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Then my South African associate Terrance Hanafey wrote of this – explaining to his readers to take special note and attention of this subject, as it is not a practise and ritual that most of us Gentiles will understand - but it is a common practise, ritual amongst our precious Jewish brothers and sisters.
Terrance Hanafey continues:
God our heavenly Father is a holy God and requires a pure sacrifice in order for Him to offer His forgiveness and appease His wrath and anger towards the sin. Without that sacrifice being acceptable to God, there will not be forgiveness, which will result in that person still living in condemnation.
The example I wish to use is an insurance policy taken out on your vehicle. This is standard practise today and you cannot get a loan from a bank to purchase a vehicle in South Africa without proof of insurance.
Yourself and ....
Now an insurance policy is between two parties. Yourself and your insurance company who require you to sign legal papers and to pay them for being insured. Say if you purchased your vehicle with cash, when you go out on the road today and you are not insured, you are taking one awful risk. Possible financial loss might ruin your future.
The insurance agreement is between you and your insurance company – both parties are agreed and signatures confirm that on a certain date your vehicle become insured.
In this same way, you as a human being need to cover your immortal soul for eternity, with the blood of Jesus, as nobody knows when they are going to pass from this life (death).
We all wish to go to heaven and God's requirement is – (circular) you must be forgiven and cleansed in the blood of Jesus, His One and Only Son - before - He is willing to offer you forgiveness - in order to go to heaven.
Jesus actually paid the price for your sins and mine with His own blood, this is the only sacrifice which has the efficacy (the authority and power) to cleanse and completely wash away your sins and mine forever.
No other way
There is no other way, even if you do not understand the reason and the method.
So like your insurance policy on your car, which protects you on the road, the blood of Jesus protects you in this life from eternal danger and harm. When you sin you can take a proverbial shower and it will not wash away your guilt, as your conscience condemns you, only the blood of Jesus can wash and your sins, and God by the blessed Holy Spirit will give you peace.
Being forgiven allows you to face the Lord with an inner sense that it is well with your soul.
Simply illustrated - this is the only way you and I will have peace with God, through asking Jesus into our lives and asking His precious blood to wash away our sins, and daily when we sin as well, immediately you can ask the Lord to forgive you by saying, Lord I am sorry for what I have done and ask Him to wash you in the blood of Jesus.
Taking communion at church is a reminder to us all that Jesus died on Calvary to forgive us.
Terrance Hanafey says he trusts this message will provide assurance you comprehend the power in the blood of Jesus and the importance of being forgiven.
The scriptures says - "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html