Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The Value of Christ’s Blood

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (He 10:19-22 NIV)

What is the value of Christ’s blood to you? Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s a weird question.” Yet each of us must come to a personal understanding of the value of Jesus’ blood. What’s difficult is that we tend to assign merit to things based on the perceived worth to us. When it comes to blood, however, we must always view it based on God’s point of view and not our own. That’s when we cross into the realm of faith and can then begin to apply the Blood’s power.

“Now the whole trouble with us is that we are trying to sense it ; we are trying to feel its value and to estimate subjectively what the Blood is for us. We cannot do it; it does not work that way. The Blood is first for God to see. We then have to accept God’s valuation of it. In doing so we shall find our valuation. If instead we try to come to a valuation by way of our feelings we get nothing; we remain in darkness. No, it is a matter of faith in God’s Word. We have to believe that the Blood is precious to God because He says it is so (1 Peter 1:18-19). If God can accept the Blood as a payment for our sins and as the price of our redemption, then we can rest assured that the debt has been paid. If God is satisfied with the Blood, then the Blood must be acceptable. Our valuation of it is only according to His valuation–neither more nor less. It cannot, of course, be more, but it must not be less.”
-Watchman Nee, The Normal Christian Life

I like that last part. Our value of the blood must never be less than what God says it is. In faith we accept the Father’s highest regard for the blood of His son. From that place we believe in its full power of redemption. We receive unmerited forgiveness of our sins as we watch Jesus’ blood wash us white as snow. We experience the cleansing of our unrelenting conscience that only his perfect blood can provide. We stand justified in God’s eyes, and step into a holy life through the blood of Christ. Glory!

You’ve been bought at a very high price, and God was the one that determined it. He does not discount you. You weren’t on sale. He paid full price!

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (1 Pe 1:18-20 NIV)

The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fall down and sing, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Rev 5:9 NIV)

Ask God for revelation on the Blood of Jesus. Let him reset your value of it today to match His own. Let’s stand together in faith for this nation to be transformed by that kind of knowledge.

Tags: Blood, Conscience, Faith, Forgiveness, Great Awakening, Jesus, Redemption, Revelation, Value