Taking Away Sin

“The gifts and sacrifices offered were not able to clear the conscience” (Heb. 9:9).

“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through
the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences
from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God” (Heb. 9:14).

”Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”
(Heb. 9:22).

“Just as a man is destined to die once, and after that to
face judgement, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many
people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring
salvation to those who are waiting for Him” (Heb. 9:27-28).

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except
Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).

The first verse tells us of the inadequacy of Old Testament
sacrifices. They were a shadow, not the reality. They did not work. The next
three verses tell us that the death of Christ is effective in:

·      
cleaning the conscience

·      
delivering from death

·      
forgiving sins

·      
taking away sins

·      
doing away with sin

Even if you think that this is five different ways of saying
the same thing, the truth of it is great. The verse from Corinthians to do with
the proclamation. Jesus Christ took away sin. We proclaim it.

Written July 22, 2019.

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