In the world today there are almost two and a half billion Christians who believe in God and expect salvation and eternal life, but only a small number of them will be saved because most are lacking the mighty power to over come all sin. But there is a power available to everyone who sincerely wants to be saved. We sing in our gospel song, “Would you be free from the burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, Power in the blood; Would you o’er evil a victory win? There’s wonderful power in the blood. There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb; There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.”
This hymn was based on the Bible verse, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11. This verse refers to the millions of martyrs who did not love their lives unto the death. The Roman judges, and the hardened soldiers could not understand, how even the little children were willing to die in flames of fire for this man, Jesus, rather than denounce Him.
When man fell into sin, 6,000 years ago, then without waiting, that very same day God met him with the offer of blood for his restoration. The lamb was slain as a symbol of Christ and His sacrifice. Throughout the Old Testament history, blood was shed symbolically for the atonement for sin, daily. The blood was shed for a peace offering, and for a thanks offering. It was the blood on the lintel, and on the door posts, that saved the firstborn of the Israelites in Egypt. It was the blood that ratified the covenant that God made with man. “And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.” Exodus 24:8
Also, the covenant in the New Testament was confirmed with the blood. “After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:25
It was through this blood that the everlasting covenant was confirmed. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20–21
Not only does the blood of Jesus justify us, but it makes us perfect in every good work. It cleanses us from all sin. “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. It is possible to overcome all sin. I have found only one church that teaches it, that today we can be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48). But it requires that the blood of Jesus is applied continually.
If there is someone who is still struggling to overcome sin, who has failed in seeking perfection, who may have cried, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24), be not discouraged; the thief on the cross found peace to his soul in the blood of the Lamb. You also can find the power that will cleanse you from all sin.
“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him.” John 6:53–56
By eating the flesh of Jesus and drinking His blood we become one with Him. It is a new blood relationship. Paul said, “I live, not yet I, but Christ liveth in me.” Galatians 2:20. As the branch that is connected to the vine, drawing nourishment from it, in order to bear fruit, so also we draw power from Christ to bear fruit. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
“The blood of Christ is efficacious, but it needs to be applied continually.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 122
“The precious blood of Jesus is the fountain prepared to cleanse the soul from the defilement of sin.” –Ibid., p. 625
“The only safety for the Israelites was blood upon the doorposts. God said, ‘When I see the blood, I will pass over you.’ (Exodus 12:13). All other devices for safety would be without avail. Nothing but the blood on the doorposts would bar the way that the angel of death should not enter. There is salvation for the sinner in the blood of Jesus Christ alone, which cleanseth us from all sin. The man with a cultivated intellect may have vast stores of knowledge, he may engage in theological speculations, he may be great and honored of men and be considered the repository of knowledge, but unless he has a saving knowledge of Christ crucified for him, and by faith lays hold of the righteousness of Christ, he is lost. Christ ‘was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.’ (Isaiah 53:5). ‘Saved by the blood of Jesus Christ,’ will be our only hope for time and our song through eternity.” –1888 Materials, vol. 1, p. 218
How many unhappy, sad Christians are suffering needlessly because they have not accessed the power? The blood of Christ has power to make us happy and cheerful, without depending on outward conditions. Beholding the cross of Calvary will bring joy and happiness into the human heart.
“But there are many who claim to be children of God who are resting their hopes upon other dependencies, rather than on the blood of Christ alone. When urged to rest their faith wholly upon Christ as a complete Saviour, many reveal the fact that they have faith in something that they think they can do.” –Sons and Daughters of God, p. 227
Many depend on their good works for salvation—they read the Bible, they pray, they give tithes and offerings, and they trust that these will give them eternal life. But these alone are not enough. We need to apply the blood of Christ daily, and never forget the scenes of Calvary.
“Thank God that He who spilled His blood for us, lives to plead it, lives to make intercession for every soul who receives Him. ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. . . . We need to keep ever before us the efficacy of the blood of Jesus. That life-cleansing, life-sustaining blood, appropriated by living faith, is our hope. . . . We are to have free access to the atoning blood of Christ. This we must regard as the most precious privilege, the greatest blessing ever granted to sinful man.” –Ibid., p. 226
Religion without the power of the blood of Jesus is only an empty form. It does not satisfy the longing of the soul. Powerless religion is a curse to the sinner rather than a blessing; it does not sanctify anyone. “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.” Hebrews 13:12
Satan hates the blood of Jesus; he wants us to forget about it and fill our minds with other things. “Dear brother, dear sister, when Satan would fill your mind with despondency, gloom, and doubt, resist his suggestions. Tell him of the blood of Jesus, that cleanses from all sin. You cannot save yourself from the tempter’s power, but he trembles and flees when the merits of that precious blood are urged.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 317
It does not matter how great a sinner you have been, He calls you to come to Him. “He says, ‘I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ Let perishing souls come to Him, just as they are, without one plea, and plead the atoning blood of Christ, and they will find acceptance with God, who dwelleth in glory between the cherubim above the mercy seat. The blood of Jesus is a never-failing passport, by which all your petitions may find access to the throne of God.” –Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 252. We need this passport to have entrance into heaven, and that our prayers will enter to the throne of God.
There is only one thing that can neutralize the power of the blood and make it non-effective to us, and it is willful sin. If we have the desire to sin, if we love sin, then the mighty power is gone from us, and in human weakness we will fail.
“For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” Hebrews 10:26
Many know that what they do is wrong, but they expect that God will forgive them over and over again. At some point in time, God may not forgive them anymore if they have sinned against the Holy Spirit. They have rejected God’s mercy and for the rest of their lives they belong to Satan.
Therefore, when we still have an opportunity, let us hide ourselves in Christ. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2–3
“Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7
To hide in Christ means to plunge in the cleansing stream of His blood. To many it is a new, unknown experience. We sing in our gospel song, “O now I see the crimson wave, The fountain deep and wide, Jesus my Lord mighty to save, Points to His wounded side. The cleansing stream, I see, I see, I plunge, and O, it cleanseth me! O praise the Lord! It cleanseth me, It cleanseth me, yes cleanseth me.”
Yes, let us all plunge in the cleansing stream of His blood. Never forget the scenes of Calvary; at the foot of the cross the burden of sin will roll away, and we find pardon and fullness of joy and perfect peace. Amen.
Timo Martin