You were redeemed...with the precious blood of Christ.

1Pe 1:18-19 NIV

The story of redemption begins in Eden with God shedding the blood of a lamb to cover Adam and Eve’s sin, and ends in heaven with a multi-national choir singing, "You...have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every...nation" (Rev 5:9 NKJV). The blood of Jesus Christ represents two things: (1) The cost of your sin. Rolled onto Christ’s shoulders was the weight of your every misdeed from the cradle to the grave. Next time you’re tempted to violate God’s Word and do your own thing, keep that in mind! (2) The cure for your sin. Your salvation wasn’t a joint effort. You didn’t contribute a cent because you were spiritually bankrupt. "You were redeemed [bought out of slavery and set free]...with the precious blood of Christ."

The preaching of the blood will offend those with sins to hide, a moralistic ego to protect, or a gospel that offers salvation through good works and social evolution. The blood of Jesus not only saves the repentant but condemns the defiant, for "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Heb 9:22 NIV). Plagues and apocalyptic hail could not release God’s people from the iron grip of Pharaoh. What did? The blood. Nothing but the blood! And the blood has never lost its power. It can: (a) heal your painful memories; (b) cleanse and set you free from the sin you dare not speak of; (c) put a canopy of protection over you; (d) draw a line in the sand over which the enemy dare not step. Today, thank God for the blood!