What role does Jesus' blood play in maintaining a pure relationship with God? Walking in the Light—The Context of 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) • John links “walking in the light” with two outcomes—shared fellowship and continual cleansing. • Light exposes reality; sin can’t hide when God’s truth illuminates our hearts (John 3:19-21). • Purification is not a distant theological idea; it is the present, ongoing action of Jesus’ blood each moment we choose to live transparently before God. The Cleansing Power of the Blood • Scripture consistently ties forgiveness to shed blood (Hebrews 9:22; Leviticus 17:11). • Jesus fulfills every Old Testament sacrifice; His blood is “precious… a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19). • Because His life was sinless, His blood can “purify us from all sin” (1 John 1:7), reaching every stain human effort cannot touch. • The result is more than pardon—our deepest moral defilement is washed away, allowing us to stand before God without shame (Revelation 1:5). Ongoing, Not One-Time, Cleansing • The Greek verb for “purifies” in 1 John 1:7 is present tense—continual action. • Believers experience an initial once-for-all justification (Romans 5:9), yet we still need daily cleansing for relational intimacy (John 13:10). • When we sin after conversion, we do not get “re-saved”; rather, the same blood continues to remove the fresh grime, restoring unhindered fellowship (1 John 1:9). From Separation to Fellowship • Sin once kept us “far away,” but “you… have been brought near through the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). • Access to the Father is now open: “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). • Fellowship isn’t merely vertical; it spills horizontally—if I’m cleansed, I can love you without hidden guilt, and vice-versa (1 John 1:7). How This Impacts Daily Living Practical ways the blood of Jesus shapes a pure relationship with God: • Confession over concealment – When conviction comes, agree with God quickly (1 John 1:9). – Trust His promise that the blood still cleanses; linger in gratitude rather than self-condemnation. • Freedom from spiritual roller-coasters – Purity depends on Christ’s finished work, not emotional highs or lows (Hebrews 10:22). – Assurance grows as you rehearse what His blood accomplished. • Boldness in prayer – Approach God’s throne “by the blood,” not by personal track record (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19). – Expect real interaction, knowing nothing stands between you and the Father. • Motivation for holiness – You were “bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20). – Live separately from sin, not out of fear, but out of honor for the One whose blood keeps you clean. • Unity with believers – Remember the same blood covering you covers them. – When conflicts arise, release grievances at the foot of the cross that cleansed you both (Ephesians 4:32). In Summary Jesus’ blood is the continual cleansing agent God provides, ensuring that those who walk in the light stay in unbroken, vibrant fellowship with Him and one another. Where sin once erected an unscalable wall, His blood has torn it down and keeps it down, inviting us to live each day assured, clean, and close to the Father. |
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