Can you look back over your life and recall some things that you know their outcome was only because of God’s grace? I can.

My short list includes:

  • When our oldest son was trapped in a burning vehicle but today is leading a vibrant church
  • When my mom was in ICU and the hospital with Covid on a ventilator for over 68 days and is now driving her friends to their doctor appointments
  • When my heart was shattered at the death of a friend but now I have only peace and joyful expectation of seeing her again one day
  • When my marriage was hard and it seemed difficult to get on the same page but now we wouldn’t change a thing because of how God knitted our hearts together
  • And I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention the most important– the summer of 1991 when Jesus found me and became my Savior

Honestly the list could go on and on (as I’m sure yours could too). But as we sang The Blood at church this week, I couldn’t help but think (as the song says) “It’s only by the blood… could have only been the blood.”

So much truth.

What do I mean? The Bible says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). And Peter said, “For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

In other words, any kindness or grace we’ve experienced can be directly linked to the love of God that was poured out for us by the sacrifice of Christ. He purchased our freedom with His life– His blood. The Book of Revelation says, “To Him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood…” (1:5).

I didn’t always understand this; or certainly not the depth and power of this reality. But throughout God’s Word it’s there (repeatedly): Jesus “made peace through His blood” (Colossians 1:20); “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7); “we have now been justified by His blood” (Romans 5:9); “it is the blood that makes atonement” (Leviticus 17:11).

Not past tense.

The precious blood of Jesus saved us, redeemed us, and helped us. But it’s not past tense, because it is still doing all these things! The entirety of our faith in Jesus is based on a blood covenant. In fact, both “covenants” (old and new) are based on blood. The word covenant means to cut and carries the suggestion of an incision where blood flows. This is why whole tribes, nations, and tongues have used the phrase “to cut the covenant.”

It is sacred, perpetual, and cannot be annulled.

And for this reason, the precious blood of Jesus still speaks, heals, redeems, and saves! And this is why I emphasize it today— so you will remember to take your current (and all future) situations and place them by faith under the blood of Christ.

“As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, Take and eat it, this is My body. Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them and said, Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the new covenant…” (Matthew 26:26-28).

The old Blood Covenant was the basis on which the New Covenant was founded. When Jesus said this is “the new,” His disciples knew exactly what He meant. EW Kenyon said, “They knew that when they cut the Covenant with Jesus in that upper room that night, they had entered into the strongest, most sacred Covenant known to the human heart.”

And this is what we now have too– a strong, sacred covenant with God. Past, present, and future. All based on the precious blood of Christ Jesus.

Now, no matter what I face, I remember the covenant I have (by faith) with God because of Jesus. And I can’t help but praise and thank Him! I pray you are stirred to faith too. I pray you are able to recognize the power (the wonder working power) of the blood of Christ in your life– past, present, and future!