Nothing but the Blood

Scripture: 1 John 1:7 (KJV)

“And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Personal Reflection

Once the Holy Spirit awakens a sinner, a terrible reality becomes clear: I am guilty before God.

Good intentions cannot erase that guilt. Religious works cannot wash it away. Tears cannot pay the debt. Baptism cannot remove it. Church membership cannot cancel it.

Something greater is required.

The sinner needs the blood of Christ.

At the heart of the gospel stands the substitutionary death of Jesus. Paul declared that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” The awakened sinner sees both sides of this glorious truth: I am unclean and unable to cleanse myself, but Jesus Christ has provided the cleansing I desperately need.

The blood reminds us that forgiveness is free to us but infinitely costly to God.

Our salvation required the death of the spotless Lamb. Christ bore the judgment our sins deserved. The righteous One stood in the place of the unrighteous. The debt was paid, justice satisfied, and forgiveness secured.

Therefore, stop trying to make yourself clean enough to approach Christ.

Come because you are unclean.

The gospel does not say, “Clean yourself, and then come.” It says that sinners who come to Christ find cleansing in His blood.

And that blood does not cleanse merely respectable sins.

John says it “cleanseth us from all sin.”

Your darkest failure is not greater than Christ’s sufficient sacrifice.

Our confidence before God therefore rests nowhere within ourselves.

Our plea is Christ alone.

Our hope is His finished work.

Our cleansing is His precious blood.

Contemplation

Am I resting completely in Christ’s blood, or am I still trying to establish some righteousness of my own?

Puritan Quote

John Flavel wrote:

“Christ is altogether lovely.”

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I have no righteousness of my own to offer You. Thank You for shedding Your blood for sinners. Cleanse me, keep me near the cross, and make Your finished work my only confidence. Amen.

Application

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 and thank Christ specifically that His death, burial, and resurrection—not your works—are the foundation of your hope.