Blood Thinning

It was symbolic forthe present time in which gifts and sacrafices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to conscience - concerned only with food and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.  But Christ came as high priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of His creation.  Not withnthe blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the most holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redempton.  For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Hebrews 9: 9-14 NKJV

I heard a story recently of a reformed prostitute who, through our Lords grace and the prayers of those around her, was able to step out of her life of addiction and into a life knowing Jesus.  Well, it seems this young lady caught the eye of the son of a local pastor, who eventually asked her to marry him.  Now, imagine the uproar of his fathers congregation at the very thought of being betrothed to such a woman!  Of course, they made no secret of their disdain for his future wife.  Eventually, the young man stood one morning in front of his fathers congregation and asked a simple question of those who were raising their voices in protest to his marriage, "Why are you attacking the blood of Christ Jesus?"  With no defense to this question, the congregation fell silent.  The point which I make here is this, do we ourselves know such people in our own lives who, by the very same grace our heavenly Father bestowed on us, have made snap judgements of their guilt before God?  How foolish we are to diminish the very blood of Christ!  For if Jesus indeed gave His life and shed His blood for our own redemption, then how much more will He not do the same for others?  My freinds, we christians have not cornered that market on Gods forgiveness.  It is not by our own standards, thankfully, by which Christ Jesus chose to give Himself for the redemption of the sins of all.  Indeed, Jesus offered Himself for the forgiveness of sins to ALL.  That is, all mankind.  Somewhere along the way, christians have come up with the idea that our Lord visits special treatment on those who simply confess that they are followers of Him.  Not so, brother, for our Lord knows our hearts.  With what measure are we willing to judge others?  Where would we ourselves be if God used that very same measure upon us?

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 3: 16-17 NKJV

I do not need to remind anyone that this is a fallen world which we live in.  We are going to run into people in our own lives who we will be assured have a special place in hell reserved for them by God.  Hypocrites!  For were we not once walking in the world as the ones we are so very fond of condemning?  Did not our Lords love and grace shower us when we made that decision to trust in the redeeming blood of Christ Jesus?  How much more will that redemption be for those who trust in Christ after us?  Shall there be one standard for christians and yet another for so called "sinners?"  My friends, WE were once ones who walked in sin as well.  But for the grace and mercy of our heavenly Father, the redeeming blood of His Son has now cleansed us.  However, that very same blood has not run dry, for it continues to cleanse today.  Are we so arrogant to assume that the redemption offered by Christ Jesus is reserved for christians only?

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician,but those who are sick.  I did not come to call the righteous,but sinners to repentance."
Mark 2: 17 NKJV

It is Christ Himself who claims that it is not just christians who are entitled to His redemption.  For Jesus did not come to call the righteous, "But sinners to repentance."  No, we christians have not cornered the market on the very distribution of the blood of Jesus.  Far from it, for the blood of Christ flows freely to all who accept that free gift He offers to all.  Who are we to trust otherwise?

~Scott~