Introduction: God's way has always been the way of blood (Heb. 9: 22). There have been altars from Abel to Golgotha (Gen. 4, Matt. 27: 50). The scriptures teach that Christ died for all (Heb. 9: 28, I Jn. 2: 2). Blood is inseparably connected with the two covenants of the Bible, the Mosaic and Christ's. The first was dedicated by blood, as was the second (Heb. 9: 18, 19-28). The first involved the ineffectual blood of animals; the second, Jesus' blood (Heb. 10: 1-4; 9: 18-28).
I. Some facts to be faced
A. Sin is a reality (Eccl. 7: 20, Rom. 3: 10, 23).
B. Sin will not cure itself (Ezek. 18: 20).
C. Jesus said, "For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26: 28).
II. What the atoning blood of Jesus does for man
A. There are a number of stated accomplishments effected by Jesus' blood.
a. Jesus' blood reconciles the estranged (Rom. 5: 10).
b. Redeems the enslaved (Eph. 1: 7).
c. Jesus' blood quickens or makes alive the dead Eph. 2: 1).
B. "…without shedding of blood is no remission," the Hebrew writer enunciated (Heb. 9: 22).
a. Jesus' blood or atonement was so perfect that, "…Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many…" (Heb. 9: 28).
b. It is true that Jesus died for all (Heb. 2: 9). However, only a few will benefit from Jesus' atonement or sin offering (Matt. 7: 13, 14). How, then, do we contact the atoning blood?
III. How to contact Jesus' saving blood
A. Repentance and baptism are for "the remission of sins" (Acts 2: 38, cp. Matt. 26: 28).
a. Hence, the non-Christian accesses Jesus' blood through these acts of primary obedience (faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, Acts 2: 36, Lk. 13: 3, 5, Rom. 10: 9, 10, Acts 22: 16).
b. The penitent child of God accesses the atoning blood by "walking in the light" and "confession" (I Jn. 1: 7-9). Please observe the language of the inspired apostle John: "But if we walk in the light…and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I Jn. 1: 7).
Conclusion: God does not force man to benefit from Jesus' blood (Jn. 3: 16). Are you willing to appropriate the blessings of the blood of Jesus?