Blood and Power

Scripture: Romans 1:16 (KJV)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...”

Personal Reflection

True salvation can be summarized in two magnificent words: blood and power.

We need the blood because we are guilty.

We need power because we are captive.

Christ provides both.

His blood answers the demands of God's justice. The penalty for sin is paid. The guilty sinner who trusts in Christ is pardoned and justified.

His power answers our bondage. The sinner who once lived under the dominion of darkness is delivered into the kingdom of God's Son.

This is why salvation cannot be reduced to repeating a prayer, walking an aisle, being baptized, joining a church, or remembering a decision made years ago. Those things cannot cleanse guilt or break spiritual chains.

Only Christ can save.

True salvation therefore produces both reliance upon Christ's finished work and evidence of Christ's transforming power. We are not saved because our lives have changed; our changed lives testify that the Christ who justifies also sanctifies.

This calls for honest examination.

Has Christ's blood become my only hope before God?

Has Christ's power changed my relationship with sin?

Do I know merely the facts of Christianity, or have I experienced the transforming grace those truths proclaim?

The Christian's answer is never, “Look what I accomplished.”

It is always, “Look what Christ has done.”

He found us guilty and provided cleansing.

He found us bound and provided freedom.

He found us dead and gave us life.

Therefore, our confidence rests entirely in Him.

Washed by blood.

Delivered by power.

Saved by grace.

All glory belongs to Christ.

Contemplation

Is my assurance resting in a past religious decision, or in the living Christ whose blood cleanses and whose power transforms?

Puritan Quote

John Newton wrote:

“I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Saviour.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, keep me from every false confidence. Let Your blood be my only plea and Your transforming power be increasingly evident in my life. Keep me steadfast in the true gospel. Amen.

Application

Read John 8:31–36 and Romans 1:16. Then write two sentences of testimony: “By His blood, Christ has...” and “By His power, Christ has...”