7 Life Essentials, 7b

 ~ Redemption Through Blood ~

 

Introduction  ~  In this series we will look at the four most basic physical needs for a human to survive, and how Jesus Christ satisfies the parallel spiritual needs.  Then we will look at three additional critical factors related to both our physical and spiritual needs.

 

Physical Needs  ~  According to basic physiological understanding mankind needs four basic elements in order to survive physically: water, air, food, and light.  Jesus satisfies the parallel spiritual needs.  Jesus is the Living Water (John 4:10-11, 7:38).  Jesus provides the Breath of Life (Genesis 2:7, Colossians 1:16-17).  Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48).  Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5).  

 

There are three additional critical factors necessary for physical life: rest, healing, and blood.  Once again, we find that Jesus satisfies both the physical and the parallel spiritual needs.  Jesus provides rest (Matthew 11:25-30).  Jesus is the great healer (Matthew 4:23-25).  It is only the blood of Jesus which provides true success in life not only on earth but more importantly in the life to come (Ephesians 2:11-13).  

 

Key Scriptures  ~  “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). 

 

“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh — who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands — that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:11-13).  

 

“For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.  For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.  Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.’  Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.  And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission [forgiveness of sin]” (Hebrews 9:16-22). 

 

Comment 1  ~  Blood is essential for ALL mammal life.  If you would like to learn more about the significance of blood, I would suggest the eBook ”CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits” which reveals more than 20 benefits from the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.  (https://books2read.com/ChristsBlood)  

 

Comment 2  ~  You may find the previous ALN posts helpful:

“Blood Alphabet” (January 8, 2013), http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/2013/01/blood-alphabet.html  

“7 Benefits of the Blood of Christ” (March 6, 2012), http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/search/label/blood?updated-max=2013-01-08T03:00:00-08:00&max-results=20&start=3&by-date=false

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Binary, 3

 ~ Religion or Relationship ~ 

 

Scripture  ~  “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). 

 

The Uniqueness of Christianity  ~  Christianity rises or falls on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.  And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.  Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.  For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.  And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!  Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).

 

Jesus is the only “spiritual leader” who rose from the dead (and the only One who claims to have risen from the dead).  It is interesting that today there is more proof of Christ’s resurrection available to an inquiring open mind than for any other ancient historical event.  In fact, Christ was once seen by over 500 post crucifixion. 

 

Christianity is the only faith that serves a living Savior!  What is so significant about this historical fact is that you can have a personal relationship with the living Messiah.

 

Personal Relationship With God  ~  The uniqueness of Christianity allows individual human beings to have intimacy (through fellowship) with all three members of the Triune God—and also with fellow believers. 

 

Fellowship with the Father: “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father…” (1 John 1:3).

 

Fellowship of the Son:  “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9).  “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

 

Fellowship of the Spirit:  “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy” (Philippians 2:1).  “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

 

Reality  ~  It is a choice between Religion or Relationship. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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