This was my Easter blog

Down at the cross where my Savior died

Down where for cleansing from sin I cried

There to my heart was the blood applied

Glory to His name!"

In Exodus chapter 12, God gives Moses very detailed instructions for the children of Israel to follow for the passover. Each family is instructed to kill a spotless lamb, cook it (according to very specific directions) and eat it, and to apply its blood to the door posts of their home.

vs. 12-13 "For I will pass throught the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgement: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt."

The blood of the spotless lamb spoke for them. It showed that they had been obedient to the instruction of the Lord and because of the blood He witheld His judgement from them.

Most Christians understand the parallel made in the New Testament. They understand that Jesus is the spotless lamb, slain for the sins of humanity. They understand that the blood of Jesus speaks for us, that it covers our sins and exempts us from the judgement of God. But they miss one tiny concept. One tiny concept with huge implications.

In order for the blood to be effective, it had to be applied to the door posts.

In order for His blood to be effective, it has to be applied to our lives.

Yes, Jesus did all of the hard work at Calvary. Yes, he paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of our sins. Modern Christian doctrines (i.e. Universalism) would have us believe that simply because He died and rose again, every person who has ever lived, who is living now and who will ever live is automatically saved. This is not the case. It takes some effort on our part to apply His blood to our lives.

So how can the blood be applied to your life? The Bible gives us specific instructions for that as well...

1. Believe.

Hebrews 11:6 says "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

Belief is only the first step, but it is a vital step.

Most people stop here. However, the Bible teaches us that the devils also believe in God. Are they saved? (The answer is ‘no’) When you truly believe that Jesus is the spotless lamb that was slain for your sins, you will be ready for step 2.

2. Repentance.

II Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Repentance is how we apply the death of Christ to our lives by dying to our sins and to our flesh. It is how we show God that no longer do we wish to live in sin. Repentance is a 180 degree turn. It is not meant to be a half-hearted apology, but rather a sincere expression of a desire to leave a life of sin behind and to begin a new life following Christ.

3. Baptism.

Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

John 3:5 "Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

This is how we apply Christ's burial to our lives (Romans 6:4). The Greek word “baptize” means “to dip or to dye a thing.” Therefore we understand that we are to be baptized by immersion.

In Acts 2:38, Peter tells the crowd on the day of Pentecost to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Acts 4:12 tells us that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven whereby we must be saved. Therefore we understand that we are to be baptized in the name of Jesus. There is no other acceptable method or formula for baptism.

4. Receive the Holy Ghost.

John 3:5 “Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Acts 2:38 tells us that when we have repented and been baptized that we shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is how we identify with Christ’s resurrection.

In Acts chapter 2, when the Holy Ghost first fell, the Bible says that they all spoke with tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. In Acts 10:45-46, Peter knew that the gentiles had received the Holy Ghost because they “heard them speak with tongues.” Whenever someone received the Holy Ghost, they always spoke in other tongues. Speaking in tongues is the initial sign of being filled with the Holy Ghost and is therefore essential.

5. Live a holy life.

II Corinthians 5:7 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

  

When you have believed, and applied the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to your life, you have the power to live a life free from the effects and penalty of sin.

Once you have obeyed God’s instructions and applied the blood to your life, it is then that you can live under the protection and blessing of the blood.