The Promise of Change

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of heifer sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:13-14

Animal sacrifices of the old testament were quite limited in terms of restoration and redemption. The blood of animals could only atone for so much sin. Not to mention, they didn't provide for change inside the one who sinned. Therefore, sacrifices had to take place regularly, even as much as daily in some cases. Think about how often you sin and imagine having to lay your best possessions on the altar that often. At the rate of which I sin, I would be homeless and broke. I would have nothing left to give before my life really began. The worst part is that I would still be who I once was.

The pure and unblemished blood of Jesus was and is enough to cover every sin forever. The blood of Jesus is so perfect that it has also proven capable of bringing about change in any and every person who truly surrenders their heart to Him. And yet part of the body of Christ has yet to experience mindset changes and only looks forward to heaven after this life. I say this in love: Our control issues are revealing our unbelief and they're keeping us on milk instead of the good stuff. They are keeping us from enjoying the here and now as was intended.

With this gracious new covenant, we don't just get to go to heaven when we die. We get to see the kingdom of God come on Earth, now, as it is in heaven. But we have to be all in, holding nothing back. We have to exercise faith in this covenant, even more now than in the last one. God doesn't ask us to be perfect people; He asks us to give ourselves to Him in full trust that He will do what is right.

Thankfully for us all, we serve a God who favors our commitment and trust over our own abilities. Do you fully trust Him? Do your actions and reactions in life align with your answer? These are all questions we should keep asking ourselves continually, because the human heart easily strays.