ICS Daily Devotions
A Life of Absolute Satisfaction
Romans 8:32 (NKJV) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
God has provided a lot of things to us through the new covenant as an expression of His perfect love for us. It is not just in the physical provision, protection and other blessings. Most importantly, it is the new life that we can have in Christ and the life is abundant!
As a contrast to the old covenant, in this new covenant established through the blood of Jesus, we are offered absolute forgiveness.
Matthew 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
The sacrifices in the temple were able to cover the sins of men for the time being but there was still a yearly reminder of their sins. The blood of bulls and lambs was not able to take away sin.
Hebrews 10:4,14 (NKJV) For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins… For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Jesus redirected the work of redemption to Himself and to His deliverance of the world from sin. In the Old Covenant, the sin was only covered when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to put the blood of the lamb on the mercy seat. It was good for only a year. Hence it has to be repeated yearly perpetually.
When Jesus said, “the blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins”, it meant that our sins were blotted out completely. He meant resolving the sin issue that separated us from God. He meant solving the sin issue for us once and for all. Once the blood of Jesus was shed for us, there is no more remembrance of the sin because it has been completely dealt with and blotted out. It is no longer in God’s record or memory.
Revelation 12:10 (NKJV) Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
We need to know that there is an accuser who accuses you day and night before God and in your mind of your past. Therefore, it is important for you to plead the blood of Jesus and stand on the redemptive blood of Jesus that brought about the remission of sin or the complete blotting of your sins before God. It is standing in humility by acknowledging the wonderful work of Jesus and His blood that gave you the robe of righteousness imputed on you the moment you were saved!
Jesus has shed His blood for our redemption but in order to grow in our Christian walk, we need to make a decision to change in our lifestyle that is supposed to be aligned to the Word of God. We need to intentionally resist and walk away from temptation and choose not to live in habitual sin. When we stumble, we must also remember that God is all merciful to forgive us if we confess our sin to Him.
The Christian walk is not always a bed of roses. But a life consecrated to Christ is a life that is fulfilling and purposeful. It gives you the satisfaction which this world cannot offer.
Sermon series: Cell Group Campaign Session 5 – The Passover