Hebrews 9:22 – In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (NIV)

A friend of mine called to let me know that her young grandchild, whom they had been worried about, was just diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Along with the diagnosis came training for both parents and child. Amidst the training, it was explained that insulin is the key that unlocks the body's cells so that they are able to absorb the sugar necessary to provide the body with energy.

As I contemplated this definition of insulin's job, I found myself thinking how this was so like the blood of Christ being the key which unlocks the way to restoration between God and us through forgiveness. With forgiveness comes abundance of life eternally.

Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. Without forgiveness of sin there is no relationship with God. Without relationship with God there is no eternal life.

Just like insulin, however, forgiveness must be chosen. If a patient with diabetes refuses to inject their insulin, their cells remained locked. Sugar is denied to the body, and they eventually go into diabetic shock, which leads to death. Adjusting to taking a daily shot, especially for children, is difficult, but in order to be healthy, they must come to the acceptance of this fact.

Many people do not want to accept the fact that they are sinners and need God's forgiveness. And yet this, too, is a fact. God states:

Romans 3:23-24 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Forgiveness of sin is a free gift offered to all by God through faith in Christ Jesus. To obtain His gift, however, we must accept the truth that we have all thought or done things displeasing to God, leaving a breach in our relationship with Him. This breach can be restored only as we acknowledge our sin, repent of it, and turn by faith to the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. This is a work which unlocks the healing power of forgiveness between God and us, allowing us to be born again from spiritual death into the abundance of eternal life, now and forevermore.

Prayer: Father God, we thank You for the provision which You have made for all people to have eternal life in Christ. We pray today that many will come to the realization of their sin and humbly repent and turn from it as they accept by faith the person and work of Christ Jesus on the cross. May many pray today as so many others have done, down through the eons of time: Lord Jesus, I need You. I acknowledge my sin and turn from it. I ask You to come into my life. I accept and embrace Your forgiveness and thank You for restoring my relationship with You now and forevermore through the power of Your blood. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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