There’s Life in the Blood
Be Strong, Be Well — Friday, March 12, 2021
We know the routine. Our doctors order blood tests for many things because an examination of our blood can tell so much about our health.
A well-known physician said, “70 percent of health-care decisions are based on diagnostic results, which makes blood work a critical component in establishing a baseline for health while also helping to confirm the cause of health concerns or rule out any potential concerns.”
There is a direct correlation between our blood and our physical and mental health. Even more important is the association blood has with our spiritual health and survival. This isn’t our blood we’re talking about here, but the blood of the spotless lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
The Law of Moses revealed, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11). This was animal blood back then, but God intended for this process to be temporary. It was a precursor of the precious blood of Christ shed for the atonement, forgiveness and cleansing of all sin (Hebrews 9:11-15).
The old law taught us the principle of blood and the life it gives both physically and spiritually. Regarding salvation, Paul wrote, “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). It was absolutely necessary for our Lord to die and shed His blood because it is superior in our salvation (Hebrews 9:23-26).
We will die eventually, whether we take advantage of routine blood work for our physical health. But if we do not take advantage of the blood of Christ while we live in this world, we will die a spiritual death, an eternal death.
Paul ends Hebrews 9 by saying, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (27–28).
Have you been in contact with Christ’s saving blood? “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
Are you keeping up with your spiritual check-ups? “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (I John 1:7). —Chris