The Blood of Forgiveness

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

To speak about Jesus’ blood and His death, it was very important to the early days of Christians during the first-century. His death give us two wonderful points of truths—redemption and forgiveness. Redemption was the price paid to gain freedom for a slave. Through His death, Jesus paid the price to release us from slavery to sin.

Forgiveness was granted in Old Testament times on the basis of the shedding of animals’ blood. Leviticus 17:11 quote, “for the life of any creature is in its blood. I have given you the blood so you can make atonement for your sins. It is the blood, representing life that brings you atonement.”

How does blood make atonement for sin? When offered with the right attitude, the sacrifice and the blood shed from it made forgiveness of sin possible. On the one hand, blood represented the sinner’s life, infected by his sin and headed for death. On the other hand, the blood represented the innocent life of the animal that was sacrificed in place of the guilty person making the offering.

The death of the animal (of which the blood was proof) fulfilled the penalty of death. God therefore granted forgiveness to the sinner. It is God who forgives based on the faith of the person doing the sacrificing. [Notes from Quick Verse Life Application Bible]

Now we are forgiven on the basis of the shedding of Jesus’ blood—He died as the perfect and final sacrifice. God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all our sins. This reminds me of a song, “Freely, Freely.”

Song: Freely, Freely

1. God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name;

I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name;

And in Jesus’ name I come to you to share

His love as He told me to.

Chorus:

He said, “Freely, freely you have received;

Freely, freely give.

Go in My name, and because you believe,

Others will know that I live.

2. All power is given in Jesus’ name,

In earth and heaven in Jesus’ name;

And in Jesus’ name I come to you to share

His power as He told me to. [Then Chorus]

[Lyrics & Music: Carol Owens, Sing His Praise]

Wow! May the Lord bless you today!