By: Scott Adkins, Sling ‘n Stone Ministry
Carter County Times
We continue our multi-part series, “Who Is Jesus Christ,” to learn more about the One Who calls us to “be thou faithful unto death.” (Rev. 2:10). Revelation 1:5 identifies The Lord as Him Who “washed us from our sins in His own blood.” But what does that identity mean, and why is that so significant to our enduring persecution, and if called upon, martyrdom for His Name’s sake?
The Lord Jesus Christ’s “wash(ing) us from our sins in His own blood,” reaffirms Hebrews chapter 9:22, which declares “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Nowhere does the Koran, the Muslims’ purported “holy book” hint that Mohammed, or anyone else, sacrificed themselves for us. The same goes for Hinduism and Buddhism. Only the Lord Jesus Christ “appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” (Hebrews 9:26). In this, Christianity stands apart from all humankind’s religions.
One might question why only shed blood can remove sin and its stain. Jesus answered that question in the Garden of Gethsemane when He “fell on His face, and prayed, saying ‘O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me(.)’” (Matt. 26:39). But no other way existed. Why? Because God Almighty’s infinite holiness demands blood be shed to remove sin – that tells us just how awful and repugnant sin is to God, that He would require His own Son’s blood be shed in crucifixion for a world of vile sinners, “such (as) were some of you(.)” (I Corinthians 6:11).
That is – while we were “fornicators… idolaters… adulterers… thieves… covetous… drunkards,” (I Corinthians 6:9-10), God the Father loved us, “command(ing) His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Think about that for a moment: Would you willingly sacrifice your only child to a horrific execution for those who hate and curse you? No, no human would.
But God did exactly that via His Only Begotten Son. Why? Because “by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (Romans 5:9). What kind of wrath? Eternal wrath. Jude 7 warns of “vengeance of eternal fire.” Hell’s fire and torments are real and forever – without rest; respite; or relief. Jesus so described hell: “the fire that never shall be quenched.” (Mark 9:43). But the Lord sacrificed Himself, to spare us this awful, yet richly deserved, fate by “wash(ing) us from our sins in His own blood.” (Rev. 1:5).
Indeed, “we love Him because He first loved us,” (I John 4:19), and “gave Himself for us,” (Titus 2:14). This love God and His Son demonstrated provides reason enough to stand firm when persecuted for His Name’s sake, and so obey the Lord by “remain(ing)… faithful unto death.” (Rev. 2:10). A small price to pay compared to the one Jesus – and Jesus alone – paid to rescue us from God’s wrath.
