The Blood of Jesus - what does it cover?

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Permalink Reply by David Abel on April 19, 2011 at 4:40am

I have been exposed to different teachings regarding the Blood of Jesus and how to practially use / apply the Blood of Jesus in my life. They differ based on the individual, the church, or the denomination. I would like to grasp things more clearly on the Blood of Jesus and would appreciate the responses from loved ones in a varied Christian community like AAG.

 

God Bless,

David A.

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Permalink Reply by Rita Cullimore on April 19, 2011 at 5:03am

David,

Christ died once for all of us who believe in Him. Once we accept Christ as our Savior, we have all the abilities that Paul teaches us about in his writings. There is no need to try to get more blood from Christ. He gave it all the first time. We need to grow in Him and accept all the marvelous gifts that believing in Him and trusting Him gives us access to. 

¹⁷ By this ^ais love perfected with us, so that ^bwe may have confidence for the day of judgment, because ^cas he is so also are we in this world.

^a [ch. 2:5]

^b ch. 2:28; 3:21

^c [ch. 3:1]

The Holy Bible : English Standard Version. Wheaton : Standard Bible Society, 2001, S. 1 Jn 4:17

Blessings as you study His Word...

Rita

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Permalink Reply by David Abel on April 19, 2011 at 5:46am

Hi Rita, my questions are not to establish who we are and what we have through accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour, neither am I trying to get more "blood from Christ". His Blood still exists today and is still doing an ongoing work in the lives of His people.

 

1 John 1:7b – and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

 

His Blood is always working, and from the above verse, present tense and future tense (ongoing into the future).

 

Here I see that the Blood of Jesus is cleansing me and continually cleansing me from all sin, so this is one area as a Christian that I can practically pray using the Blood of Jesus, I would think? Especially where I am slipping up, must I just take it for granted that His Blood has covered my on-going slip-ups (even into the future), or must I cover these sins with the Blood of Jesus as I go along? (Just an example.)

 

God Bless,

David A.

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Permalink Reply by RoyW on April 19, 2011 at 5:10am

Faith is the key in our relationship with God. The blood of Jesus atones for all our sins and puts us in right standing with God.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all  sin. NIV

Hebrews tells us that it is through His blood that we are able to enter into the presence of God. We have been justified by His blood - Rom 5:9. We have peace with God through His blood - Col 1:20. We have been set free from our sin - Rev 1:5.

Faith in the blood of Jesus is what cleanses us from all our sin. It does not seem to me to be a proper Scriptural application to plead the blood of Jesus over certain other things. Our relationship with God is by grace through faith. Some seem to use His blood as a magic potion or something and I personally believe that is a misuse of what it is for. Jesus shed His blood on the cross to atone for all my sin. Now I must learn to walk in faith in Him to overcome these difficult things in this life. Because of His shed blood, there is nothing to separate me from God. I am perfect in Him. I am very grateful to Him for this.

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Permalink Reply by David Abel on April 19, 2011 at 6:55am

Hi Roy. Yes, faith is key. Faith is paramount regarding the work and efficacy of the Blood of Jesus in our lives. Faith in Jesus Christ, His Blood and His finished work for us at the cross of Calvary. This then opens the door for us to enjoy many benefits through His Blood.

 

I agree that some seem to use the Blood of Jesus as a “magic portion”, but if the mindset and prayer is correct and heartfelt, I do not see any problem praying the Blood of Jesus over things. To pray for the Blood of Jesus to cover my marriage for example, makes me view my marriage as sacred and holy, and also protected, by virtue of the Blood of Jesus over it. By praying the Blood of Jesus over my life and my car as I drive, I feel protected by His Blood as I travel. To me it is not a magic portion, but as something real and alive doing its work where it needs to. A shadow of this was when the Israelites had to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to their doorposts and lintels at the first Passover (Exo 12). The spirit of death then “passed over” their homes when it saw the blood and located the homes/households of the Egyptians instead. Today, in a spiritual sense, the Blood of Jesus is covering my life (and even things in my life), and I see it as a practical application of the Blood of Jesus covering and protecting. This is done by faith and faith alone.

 

God Bless,

David A.

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Permalink Reply by David Abel on April 19, 2011 at 9:15am

Sorry, the above should read "magic potion", not "portion"... :-)

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Permalink Reply by David Abel on April 19, 2011 at 7:07am

The Bible makes use of certain words, which is what the Blood of Jesus has done/accomplished for us, but what these words mean exactly and their real-life application needs to be expounded for me. I have a basic idea, but am maybe missing a deeper picture/insight. Some terms that come up:

 

Redemption (Eph 1:7, Col 1:14, Heb 9:12, 1 Pet 1:18-19, Rev 5:9) – bought back. From who? The devil, the world, sin?

 

Justification (Rom 5:9) – my sins don’t count anymore. I’m justified, in a legal sense? I don’t have to pay the price for my sins any longer? No consequences?

 

Sanctification (Heb 13:12) – set apart unto God (separation from the world) or made holy unto God? Or both? Once off and on-going? All this through the Blood only?

 

Propitiation (Rom 3:25) – ??

 

Remission (Rom 3:25, Heb 9:22) – ?? I’ve heard it said that when we give our lives to Jesus our sins are remitted, then afterwards they are forgiven, or the other way round. Not sure about this. What does remitted mean? What does forgiven mean?

 

Reconciliation (Col 1:20) – reunite, bring together again. All things? How does this apply to the believer and the unbeliever?

 

Consecration – same as sanctification? Is this an Old Testament application only, while sanctification is the New Testament application?

 

Atonement – compensation. My sins are “compensated for”. Does the Blood provide atonement or Jesus Christ Himself? Rom 5:11 appears to be the only New Testament reference to atonement, which says we received atonement through Jesus Christ (no mention of His Blood).

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Permalink Reply by RoyW on April 19, 2011 at 9:21am

David,

Very good! These are all terms that refer to our relationship to God. We are saved, sanctified, forgiven, etc., etc., all because of the death (through the shedding of His blood) or our Lord Jesus. The application of the blood to my situation is a work of the Holy Spirit. That which God gave and Jesus provided is applicable to me because of His complete saving work in my life. It is all of Him and none of me. The blood puts me in right standing with the Father and allows me to claim all the riches of His promises. Very good observations.

I would still hesitate to plead the blood over my marriage, etc., but I don't think that is a critical area. I think if someone feels better pleading the blood over a situation, I can't see how that would hurt anything. However, I guess I see the blood as a finished process and something I don't need to do over and over again.

Very good discussion and observations. Thank you.

Roy

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Permalink Reply by David Abel on April 19, 2011 at 9:51am

Thanks Roy, appreciated. I also see the work of Jesus on the cross (crucifixion) as a finished work (together with what His birth, life, ministry, burial, resurrection and ascension also accomplished). However, I do see the Blood of Jesus as something still alive and active and working today. The Blood itself is still always at work, so can always be used in prayer, as its ongoing work continues throughout our lives.

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Permalink Reply by RoyW on April 20, 2011 at 5:28am

Yes, I am so grateful for the shed blood of Jesus. Thank you for bringing this subject up especially this most holy week. Here in America, on Friday, life will go on pretty much as normal. It is a most holy day. It is the pivotal day of all creation and many will not even stop to give it a consideration. But, we must not let that get us down for Jesus did shed His blood - the deed is done and our sins are completely forgiven. HALLELUJAH! We are redeemed by His blood. We are no longer slaves but children of the most holy God. Whatever He does with this world, He has promised to keep us. How can I ever thank Him enough? I am without words.

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