“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” ( 1 John 1:7) As the word “cleanseth” in the King James Version shows us, the blood of Jesus Christ has a continual and effectual efficacy on the behalf of those it was shed for. The “blood” is used to signifty the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. This blood “washed away” their sin in the sense that it satified God’s justice in the matter of their sin and paid the price requiored to redeem them from their sins. That once for all payment for the sins of God’s elect was a payment in full and it thus erased or washed away that sin debt. The efficacy of that one sacrifice for their sins is “forever.” Have those Christ died for sinned? Yes, but HIs blood has cleansed them from those sins. Are they presently sinning while in this flesh? Yes, but His blood is cleansing them for these sins. Will they sin in the future? Yes, but this blood will cleans them from those sins also. His substitutionary and justice-satisfying death has assured their eternal salvation from sin. This is the reason Christ came into the world and died for them, to save them from their sins. When John saw the Lamb in the Revelation, he described it as “newly slain.” Christ’s work of redemption is to be viewed by faith as a finished work but it also seen as a fresh work. He is always the One who is “mighty to save.” What comfort this word declares to those who know themselves to be sinners before God when conscience troubles amidst Satan’s accusations! The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth US from ALL sin. Not some sin or even most sin but all sin! It has, it is and it shall! Our shame turns in to song, “Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” (Rev. 5:9) Christ has ‘by Himself purged us from our sins” and they can never be brought up against us or laid to our charge again. If He made them His own then they are not my own! This continual cleansing make for continual good news. Let me “walk in the light” of the gospel of the crucified Christ daily. Let me sing the song of redemption by the blood of the Lamb. “For my cleansing this I see—Nothing but the blood of Jesus! For my pardon this my plea—Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Oh! precious is the flow, That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus!”
Gary Shepard
"And they called Rebekah and said unto her, Will you go with this man? And she said, I will go."-Gen. 24:58.
See, my soul, with what readiness Rebekah determined to accompany the servant of Abraham to Isaac. And will you not arise and go forth at the invitation of the servants of Jesus, who sends them to call you to his arms? Has he not, by the sweet constraining influences of his Holy Spirit, as well as by the outward ministry of his blessed word, made you willing in the day of his power? Did not the servant of Abraham give proof of his master's affection in putting the bracelets upon Rebekah's hands, and the earrings, and the gold? But what was this to the love-tokens which Jesus himself has given you, when he set you as a seal upon his heart, and as a seal upon his arm? When all the waters of divine wrath were poured upon him for your sins, which like a deluge had overspread your whole nature, it could not quench his love, nor drown it.
If it should be demanded then, from your own mouth this day, "Will you go with this man?" this God-man, this Glory-man, this Jesus, will you not instantly cry out, "I will go?" Yes! you altogether lovely Lord, you greatest and fairest among ten thousand, I will go with you.
I would be better for me to leave my own people and my father's house. For my father's house is a house of bondage. I was born in sin, and shaped in iniquity. I am a child of wrath, even as others, and by nature dead in trespasses and sins. It is you, blessed Jesus, who have delivered me from the wrath to come. It is you who have quickened me by your Holy Spirit to a new and spiritual life. It is you who have sent your servants to call me to yourself, and have betrothed me to yourself for ever.
Is there is any that yet who would ask me, "Will you go with this man?" My whole soul would answer the question as the apostle did, "to whom else shall I go?" Witness for me, you servants of my Lord; you angels, and ministers of light. I have no one in heaven, neither in earth, but him. Yes, dearest Redeemer! I will go with you, follow you, live with you, depend upon you, and die with you. Not even death itself shall part you and me. Oh let those precious words of yours, concerning your church be sweetly felt in my soul. "I will say, it is my people" and my whole soul will make her responses to the gracious sound, and say, "the Lord is my God." ‘
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