Bible Studies

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BY COMMENTING
Leave Comment Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article

Track Writer

Add to Favorites

by Gary Sims
11/04/03
Not For Sale
Author requests article critique

The Epistles
Hebrews 9:24-28 – Life Giving Blood
Key Verses: (NIV)

24: “For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one.” – Continuing the comparison between Christ’s entrance into Heaven with that of a high priest entering the Holy Temple, the writer reemphasizes the point that man-made efforts to atone for our sins fall short.

25: “Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again…” – Christ’s sacrifice for our sins was once and for all times.

25b: “The high priest enters…every year with blood that is not his own.” – We are reminded that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Heb 9:22)
27-28a: “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many...” – One amazing act of love, erasing and blotting out our sins for all time.
28b: “He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” – The crowd gathers, awaiting His return.

Points to Contemplate:

How many times do you need Christ to die for you? Is once enough or are you still carrying with you some of the baggage of past sins or reoccurring transgressions? Can you leave them all at the cross? Can you forget? Can you forgive? Will you let yourself off the hook and allow Christ fully into your heart? Will you spread Christ’s act of forgiveness outward to those who have wronged you? Will you accept Christ’s blood sacrifice for you once and for all time?
What do you have to offer God? The blood sacrifices for atonement were a symbolic substitution. They represented a giving or dedication of one’s whole life to God in exchange for forgiveness. Since Christ shed His blood for you, are you willing to offer your entire life over to God? Can you open yourself to Him and pray that He uses you in anyway He needs? Are you willing to set aside all aspects of your life to answer His call? Would anything less somehow cheapen what Christ did for you?
Are you waiting for His return? How affected are you by the promise of Christ’s return? Are we in the end times? Regardless of your answer, does it change anything? Do you need to act differently? Are you to hurry about and prepare for His return? Or is it simply important to live your life fully dedicated to God? Is there a sense of urgency? Should you stop procrastinating? Are your evangelistic efforts becoming more important? Does the promise of His return instill hope in times where everything else seems hopeless?

Promises of the Gospel:

The author of Hebrews is asking that we look closely at the impact Christ’s sacrifice has on each of our lives. We are to personalize this event. His blood was shed for you! In response we can let go, forgive, forget, and dedicate our lives to the building of His kingdom here on earth. He will return but we do not need to worry about when because His sacrifice is sufficient to carry us through all things. What we can do is to help as many people we can to come to the understanding the value of His gift. It is a gift that frees us from the burdens of sin for all times and for all people.

FUMC Devotionals

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE

Reader Count & Comments

Date

Read more articles by Gary Sims or search for other articles by topic below.

Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)

Read more by clicking on a link:
Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You

...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19

Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38

LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE

FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.