This is the voice of unchanging truth. Under the Jewish system, sins were never removed—even symbolically—without the shedding of blood. In no situation, by no method whatsoever, can sin be forgiven apart from atonement. It is therefore plain that there is no hope for me outside of Christ, for no other shedding of blood is worthy even to be considered as payment for sin.
The searching question then is this: Am I believing in Him? Has the blood of His sacrifice truly been applied to my soul? All people stand on equal ground here. No matter how moral, generous, pleasant, or patriotic we may be, the rule is not adjusted to accommodate us. Sin will surrender to nothing less than the blood of Him whom God has publicly set forth as a propitiation. What a mercy that there is one clear way of pardon! Why should we look for another?
Those whose religion is merely formal cannot understand how believers rejoice in knowing that all their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake. Their good works, prayers, and ceremonies offer little comfort—and rightly so—because they are ignoring the great salvation and attempting to obtain forgiveness without blood.
My soul, pause and consider the justice of God, which must punish sin. See that full punishment poured out on your Lord Jesus. Then bow in humble joy and cling in faith to Him whose blood has made atonement for you. When conscience is awakened, it is useless to look to feelings or personal evidences for peace—that habit belongs to the old life of legal bondage. The only true remedy for a guilty conscience is a clear sight of Jesus suffering on the cross.
“The blood is the life thereof,” declares the law of Moses—and we may be fully assured that it is also the life of faith, joy, and every holy grace within us.
Oh, how sweet to gaze upon the flowing
Of my Saviour’s precious blood,
With divine assurance knowing
He has made my peace with God.