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The Death of Christ for Us


''The gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience” (Heb. 9:9).

"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God" (Heb. 9:14).

''Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Heb. 9:22).

"Just as a man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him" (Heb. 9:27-28).

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Cor 2: 2).

The first verse tells us of the inadequacy of Old Testament sacrifices. They were a shadow, not the reality. They did not work. The next three verses tell us that the death of Christ is effective in:

  • cleaning the conscience
  • delivering from death
  • forgiving sins
  • taking away sins
  • doing away with sin

Even if you think that this is five different ways of saying the same thing, the truth of it is great. The fifth verse has to do with the proclamation. Jesus Christ took away sin. We proclaim it.

 

Written August 1988.

This post coordinates with Saturday's reading in the To the Word! Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading plan, please join us at TotheWord.com. We would love to have you reading with us.

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