The Shedding of Blood

Hebrews 9:22 (ESV)
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Sometimes I think we forget the last statement here: “…and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” All of us can be extremists at times: either taking lightly the sacrifice of Jesus too lightly (Galatians 5:13; Hebrews 6:4-6) or we beat ourselves up over past sins that have been confessed (Psalm 103:12).

Christ shed His blood for us: to purify us; to forgive our sins; to reconcile us to the Father. How can we lightly take the freedom He gave us and consciously sin? If we forget the shedding of His blood on Calvary, it’s easy enough to go against the Father and later come back like a dog with its tail between its legs asking for forgiveness. Consider God Himself on the cross in agony saying “It is finished.” How can we continually abuse ourselves over the past when He took our punishment?

If you have any inclinations to lean to either extreme, please consider the price for your freedom – the shedding of His blood.