‘We have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ.’ Romans 5:9 NLT
The Bible says: ‘God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation…So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God’ (vv. 8-9, 11 NLT). God loves and accepts you just as you are.
And it gets better. He sees you as blameless. How? ‘God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God’ (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV). Note the words ‘in him’. Imagine yourself placing a letter in an envelope, then sealing it. No longer can you see the letter or read its contents because it’s ‘in’ the envelope. Getting the idea?
Always remember there is a difference between your position and your condition. When you put your trust in Christ, you’re positioned before God as being ‘righteous’. You say, ‘But what about my condition? I still fail.’ The job of the indwelling Holy Spirit is to bring your condition up to the level of your position. ‘The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image’ (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT). How does the Holy Spirit do this? He draws you back to the place of repentance where you are cleansed. Notice, your position in Christ doesn’t change, but your condition is constantly changing as you become more like Christ.
POSITION AND CONDITION
The blood of Christ holds significant importance in Christian theology, as it is seen as the means of salvation and redemption. The references you provided from the Bible, Romans 5:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and 2 Corinthians 3:18, shed light on the profound significance of the blood of Christ and its impact on the Christian faith.
In Romans 5:9, the apostle Paul writes, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” Here, Paul emphasizes the concept of justification, which refers to being declared righteous before God. According to Christian belief, humanity is inherently sinful and separated from God, but through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the shedding of his blood, believers are justified and reconciled with God. The blood of Christ is considered the atoning sacrifice that satisfies God’s justice and paves the way for forgiveness and salvation.
In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul states, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” This verse highlights the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, which asserts that Jesus, who was sinless, took upon himself the sins of humanity. By doing so, he bore the penalty and punishment for sin, and in exchange, believers are granted the righteousness of God. The blood of Christ symbolizes this sacrificial act, which provides the basis for the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of a relationship with God.
Moving to 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul writes, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” This verse speaks of transformation and the ongoing process of sanctification in the lives of believers. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, believers are gradually conformed to the likeness of Christ, experiencing spiritual growth and maturity. The blood of Christ plays a central role in this process, as it is the foundation upon which the Christian life is built.
Overall, the blood of Christ is seen as indispensable in the Christian faith because it represents the sacrificial act of Jesus on the cross, through which believers find justification, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God. It demonstrates God’s love and grace, providing a way for sinful humanity to be made righteous and restored in relationship with their Creator. The blood of Christ is not only a historical event but a living reality that continues to transform the lives of believers as they strive to reflect the character of Christ in their thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
