The Blood is the Giver, and Grace is the Gift. I was chatting on the phone with a dear friend of mine, and we found ourselves discussing the blood of Yeshua. We both agreed that lately, it seems, there is a lot of talk about grace but not enough conversation about the blood. This discussion rang in my spirit to the point of wanting to do this month's blog on the blood of Yeshua.
Don't hear what I’m not saying. I believe in grace, but I also think the meaning of it gets thrown around and abused today. We must live a life in victory because of the blood of Yeshua and not because we are covered by grace, as if somehow grace washes away all the words, thoughts, or actions we do — but should not do.
Hebrews 9:12 "He entered into the Holies once for all—not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption."
Before Yeshua came to Earth, blood sacrifices had to be made for the atonement of the sins of the people of Israel. This blood atonement was a 'temporary solution' to the forgiveness of sins as a Nation. There was no other way. There had to be a blood sacrifice for atonement, and this was usually provided through a perfect, spotless lamb. However, other animals could be used in sacrifice as well.
It's been this way from the beginning—hinting that animal blood atonement was temporary, and that one day, the ultimate atonement would be made by the Son of God Himself.
Sometimes I think we miss the magnitude of the ultimate atonement and what Yeshua did for our salvation.
He did this for all who will call upon His Name:
Revelation 5:9 "And they are singing a new song saying: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals. For You were slain and by Your blood, You redeemed for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation."
All people and nations have been given the opportunity to call on the name of Yeshua. His redeeming blood is not only for the Jewish people. This redemption applies to anyone who calls upon His Name, accepts the Lord Yeshua's blood (sacrifice), believes (in faith) in the work of the cross (the execution stake), and lives a life sold out to Him.
Ephesians 2:8 says: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves—it is the gift of God.
It is by the grace of God (not ourselves) because He loves us more than we can comprehend. It is by the redemptive blood of Yeshua. He extended the grace of the sacrifice Yeshua made, and through faith in Him, we still have the gift of salvation even though we have not seen it personally.
Grace is not an excuse we can use to sin, act inappropriately, or think we can do anything we want because we are saved. Some may call this freedom. Grace does not work that way. Grace does not set us free; it's the blood that frees us.
Grace is not achieved through works; it is a gift from God.
It's lovely to share your time and talents inspired by grace, but these works cannot save us. Grace reconciles us to God. Grace is extended because of the blood.
As I was researching about grace, I found this quote from an article and thought it was worth mentioning:
"The grace of God does not involve just the forgiving of sin. Forgiveness is not the only unearned and unmerited gift that He has given us. Grace, in actuality, reaches into every aspect of the salvation process, and everything - everything - is given. All we do is respond to God's gifts. Grace denotes God's benevolence in giving of Himself in some way to bring about our salvation. We really limit its biblical application if we think of it only as the unearned pardon of sin. It is much, much more." —John W. Ritenbaugh, in his sermon: Grace Upon Grace.[i]
Let us focus on Yeshua's atoning blood and the fact that we are set free from the law of sin and death. The wonderful byproduct of this gift is the grace we have been extended — by God himself.
Thank you, Father, for the blood of Yeshua, which washes us white as snow. Thank you that we are Ambassadors for you every day of our lives by living as a testimony to You and showing your loving grace to our family, friends, and others as we bring the Gospel to a world in need of your salvation. We love you, Lord! Amen.
Please listen to the Hebrew rendition of Oh the Blood/Ho Damo, by Joshua Aaron, on YouTube. You will be blessed.
Blessings!
Joyce
Unless otherwise notated, Scripture quotations are from the Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society. All rights reserved
[i] Excerpts from a sermon Grace Upon Grace by John W. Ritenbaugh https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/sermon/id/189/grace-upon-grace.htm
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