It is important that we grieve over our sin and recognize how our sin sent Christ to the cross and caused Him incomprehensible pain (both physically and spiritually). We need to confess our sin to God and to others. "I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah" (Psalm 32:5). Once we have recognized our sins, repented of them, and confessed, we can walk forward, knowing that our sins have been covered by the blood. God has called us to glorify Him through serving Him and drawing close to Him, as we will see from the following passages from Hebrews.
As I've been reading through the book of Hebrews, I've noticed a beautiful thread in the blood of Christ and His sacrifice as a prominent theme.
Why has Christ's blood redeemed us? For what purpose are we purified? To serve our God: "Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come … he entered once for all into the holy places ... by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:11-14). I love that God didn't just cleanse us from sin through Christ's death for us to simply "exist". He has much for us to do and it is so exciting to be serving "the living God"! As we live for His glory, cleansed by His blood, we are privileged to live out the life God prepared for us: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10).
In my life, I have been blessed to see how God desires to use me as a Christian who is called to walk in the works He has prepared for me. One of the biggest things for me has been this ministry! Matters of Her Heart started so small (Just how God loves to start things! "Never despise humble beginnings!") and God has grown it and opened many opportunities to reach out through the emails, meetings, and blog. What works has God prepared for you? Remember, start small. Perhaps it's as simple as sitting down with your little sister or brother and letting them know you love and want to be with them. Maybe there is a young lady in your life who is seeking encouragement. Take time to invest in her and build a relationship with her. Ask the Lord to show you where He wants you to serve, and go for it! You have been covered by the blood, so you are cleansed and prepared to serve the living God!
God didn't save us for us only to serve Him. He also desires a relationship with us. Hebrews 10:19-23 says, "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." Because of what Christ has done, those who believe on Him by faith through grace can come before the Lord with confidence and full assurance of our welcome. God desires a relationship with us because He loves us so much. But apart from the saving blood of Christ, we cannot enter His presence because we are sinful and repulsive to a holy God. Through Jesus Christ, we can come with confidence, for He has atoned for our sins and we are clothed in His righteousness.
Sisters, our Lord loves you so much that He sent His only Son, so that you might have everlasting life in Him (John 3:16). Even before we loved Him, He loved us (Romans 5:7-8)! That amazes me! The Father desires a relationship with you. The King of the Universe loves you and wants to be with you. Don't let guilt keep you from Him. Trust Jesus alone as your Lord and Savior and draw near to Him with faith and full assurance of your welcome. His arms are open to all those who He has called and cleansed by His blood. "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing" (Zephaniah 3:17). There is nothing sweeter than living life in Christ and having a relationship with Him. We can build this relationship through reading His Word and praying, drawing near in faith and knowing that He loves us and desires us to come to Him.
So, we're covered by the blood in order to serve and draw near to God. These two things are wrapped in one calling: to glorify God. Everything we do on this earth is about Him, not us. He cleansed us to make us holy and prepared for His work and His presence. "Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21). This verse reminds us that God is working. He cleansed us with the precious blood so that we may do God's will, be pleasing in His sight, and bring glory to Him. This is our call.
We can live this life only through the blood of Christ. Today, if you have believed on Jesus as your Lord, delight in the joy of forgiveness and cleansing through the cross. Then, serve Him and draw near to Him in faith. If you haven't ever trusted in Christ alone for salvation, listen to His call on your heart as He draws you to Himself. Believe on Him, "for by grace you have been saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8).
Why has Christ's blood redeemed us? For what purpose are we purified? To serve our God: "Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come … he entered once for all into the holy places ... by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:11-14). I love that God didn't just cleanse us from sin through Christ's death for us to simply "exist". He has much for us to do and it is so exciting to be serving "the living God"! As we live for His glory, cleansed by His blood, we are privileged to live out the life God prepared for us: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10).
In my life, I have been blessed to see how God desires to use me as a Christian who is called to walk in the works He has prepared for me. One of the biggest things for me has been this ministry! Matters of Her Heart started so small (Just how God loves to start things! "Never despise humble beginnings!") and God has grown it and opened many opportunities to reach out through the emails, meetings, and blog. What works has God prepared for you? Remember, start small. Perhaps it's as simple as sitting down with your little sister or brother and letting them know you love and want to be with them. Maybe there is a young lady in your life who is seeking encouragement. Take time to invest in her and build a relationship with her. Ask the Lord to show you where He wants you to serve, and go for it! You have been covered by the blood, so you are cleansed and prepared to serve the living God!
We can live this life only through the blood of Christ. Today, if you have believed on Jesus as your Lord, delight in the joy of forgiveness and cleansing through the cross. Then, serve Him and draw near to Him in faith. If you haven't ever trusted in Christ alone for salvation, listen to His call on your heart as He draws you to Himself. Believe on Him, "for by grace you have been saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8).
I love the theme of Christ's blood throughout the book of Hebrews. Our Lord is awesome. He has purified us so that we can be used of Him and drawn near to Him, both things which ultimately bring glory to Him and bring us the greatest joy. We are covered by the blood. What an incredible gift!
In the love of the Savior,
Christina
Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory!
