The Precious Blood of Christ
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” (1 Peter 1: 18 – 21)
There is so much “meat” (Hebrews 5:14) within these verses that a brief article here will do little to fully capture more than a morsel of its value. Nonetheless, let’s examine what Peter shares with us regarding “the precious blood of Christ.”
First, notice it REDEEMS us. That word means “buy back”. We had been “sold under sin.” (cf. Romans 7:14) Frankly, we sold ourselves to sin when we knew to do good and failed in doing it (James 4:17). Because of His love for us, God sent Jesus to die for us, shedding His blood for the remission of our sins. This “redemption through His blood” (Colossians 1:14) is much more valuable than the greatest of riches from silver or gold, for it is the precious blood of Jesus Christ – a value beyond earthly description – that redeems us!
Second, notice the precious blood of Christ was “foreordained before the foundation of the world” to redeem us! That’s incredible! Even before God created the world, this passage shows God’s love for us – mankind! Yes, even before God created man, God foreordained (i.e., planned and appointed) the redemption of man from sin through the precious blood of Christ! This means God intended for all man to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), but NOT without man’s compliance to God’s word (Hebrews 5:8 – 9).
Third, notice it is through our belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the glory God the Father gave Christ Jesus, that our faith and hope remains in God! Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). But faith alone will not save us (James 2:14 – 26; 2 Peter 1: 1 – 11). Further, one cannot be “in” Christ without baptism (Galatians 3:27). Therefore, those who believe in God who raised up Christ from the dead (Acts 17:31) will comply with the gospel of Christ and therefore hear Him (Acts 15:7), believe the gospel (ibid. and 2 Corinthians 4:4), then repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:10) and be immersed in the watery grave of baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6: 1 – 6; et al).
Our faith and hope in God is much greater than a mere acknowledgment of His existence, or even His death, burial, and resurrection. Our faith and hope, because of the precious blood of Christ, is an anchor for our soul (Hebrews 6: 17 – 20). That means His blood ties my faith and hope to Him, and the eternity He promised me if I remain faithful unto my death (1 John 2:25; Revelation 2:10). The only way that “rope” is severed between Christ and me is if I severe it; and sin is the knife that cuts that “rope.” How happy I am to learn from the apostle John’s writings, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9) That doesn’t mean I won’t sin (see 1 John 1: 5 – 10), but rather that I will not sin willfully (cf. Hebrews 10:26) and therefore have an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1- 2), and confess my faults to God, allowing Him to cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 5 – 10). That’s not possible without the precious blood of Christ, and therefore, I’ll stay within Him, and live in Him as closely as possible (Colossians 3: 1 – 17).
Friend, there is nothing in all of existence more precious than the blood of Jesus Christ! It and it alone is what washes away our sins when we are obedient to Him (Acts 22:16). What price of this earth’s wealth would you pay for such redemption? Yet, when offered to all with the only requirement being obedience to Him, so many reject His saving blood, for the pleasures of sin. (Matthew 16: 24 – 28) We are so grateful for the men and women who have given their lives in exchange for the prolonging of our freedom and protection here in this country. We admit we owe them more than we can pay. But with all their sacrifices for us, they still do not equal the sacrifice Christ Jesus willingly gave us for our redemption. How can we NOT be grateful to Him and obey Him?
Oh indeed, dear friend, the precious blood of Jesus Christ merits more accolades than we can produce, and more thanks than our words can utter! Yet, all He desires is our obedience to the gospel, and our faithful service thereafter (2 Peter 1:1 – 11). Spiritually, that precious blood of Jesus permeates our spiritual being, for it is His life that dwells in the Christian (Galatians 3:27). So many boast of their relationships in the flesh to those of distinction and honor. Paul said he would not boast, save in Christ Jesus (Galatians 6:14). That relationship is superior to all of mankind’s blood kindred!
Yes, I am a Christian, made so by obedience to the gospel of Christ Jesus whose precious blood makes it possible for me to be a child of God, redeemed from sin, and granted the uncompromised promise of eternal life with Him if I remain faithful unto my death! Are you a Christian? Do you value the precious blood of Christ Jesus?