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©FOUNDATION
A MAGAZINE OF BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Dennis W. Costella, Editor; Karel Beyer, Production Manager; Matt
Costella,
Copy Editor
M.H. Reynolds, Jr. (1919-1997), Founding Editor
The Blood of Jesus
by The Rev. William Reid, M.A.
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the
holiest by the blood of Jesus," Hebrews 10:19
[This is a reprint of a book
published by James Nisbet & Co., London, England, in 1866. Liberty Bell
Press no longer prints this book and has granted permission to the FEA for
reprinting. This resource is available in a booklet from the FEA. Click
here to order].
©FOUNDATION Magazine, July-August 1998
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1: Forgiveness Of Sins Through The Blood Of Jesus
Chapter 2: How Our Sins Are Taken Away By The Blood Of Jesus
Chapter 3: The Blood Of Jesus, Not Conviction Of Sin, The Foundation
Of Our Peace And Joy
Chapter 4: A Letter About The Love Of Jesus
Chapter 5: Salvation Through The Blood Of Jesus, The Gift Of God
Chapter 6: The Blood Of Jesus Our Only Ground Of Peace With God
Chapter 7: Regeneration Through The Blood Of Jesus
Chapter 8: Faith In The Blood Of Jesus Essential To Salvation
Chapter 9: The Blood Of Jesus The
Believer’s Life And Peace <= you are here
Chapter 10: Faith In The Blood Of Jesus The Spring Of
Holiness
Chapter 11: The Blood Of Jesus The Essence Of The Gospel
Chapter 12: The Holy Spirit’s Testimony To The Blood Of Jesus
Chapter 9
The Blood Of Jesus The Believer's Life And Peace
Topics In This Chapter:
- Looking Unto Jesus
- Personal Contact With The Living Jesus
- Rejoicing In Jesus
- Justification Perfect And Complete
I NOW LEAVE OFF
addressing myself specially to unconverted awakened, that I may lay a few
thoughts before brethren in Christ who are awakening to a deeper sense of
their obligations and responsibilities
We are living in a most important era of our world's
history! How melancholy the condition, and how ominous of evil the attitude of earth's
nations! Warlike powers confront each other, and the blood of their embattled hosts is
shed in torrents. How persevering and successful is man in carrying forward his gigantic
schemes and favourite movements! Strange is it also, that an all but universal cry for
regeneration among earth's nations should be made simultaneously with a cry for the Holy
Ghost to achieve for the professing Church a mighty spiritual revival.
We cannot help being stimulated in our exertions for the
cause of Christ, by contiguity to unceasing earthly activity manifested on every side; but
were this our only incentive to action, our zeal would be spurious; for all effort and
activity in promoting the gospel which are the offspring of mere imitation, and originate
only in proximity to the activity displayed by the world, instead of being based on
personal faith in Christ and living communion with God, form nothing higher and nothing
better than "a fair show in the flesh."
But we have reason to believe that a mighty breath of the
Divine Spirit is now passing over the earth. The Church of the living God, scattered
throughout the different denominations, has been feeling its influence; and the result of
His gracious presence and quickening power is appearing in greatly increased religious
activity and zeal for the conversion of souls. This is matter for thankfulness. We need to
have a renewal of our youth that we may be healthy, fresh, and vigorous to engage
energetically in the great work that is to be done for God in these eventful days that are
now passing over us. And let us ever bear in mind that the grand prerequisite to thorough
usefulness is, that we ourselves should be "strengthened with might by his Spirit
in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that
ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is
the breadth, and, length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which
passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph.
3:16-19). If we would be filled with the grace of God and refreshed in our souls it is
essential, at such a time as the present, that we should constantly recall and deeply
ponder the great foundation-truths on which we rested at the time of our conversion. "Looking
unto Jesus" (Heb. 12:2) is the most refreshing exercise in which we can
engage; and the shortest road to genuine spiritual revival is by the cross of
Calvary.
When the Rev. W. H. Hewitson was on his deathbed, and had
several texts illustrative of the faithfulness of God quoted to him by a friend, he
remarked after his friend had withdrawn : - "Texts like these do not give me so much
comfort, as 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,' (John
3:15); or, ‘He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all,
how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"(Rom. 8:32). Plain
doctrinal statements, exhibiting the heart of God, are more sustaining to me than mere
promises. I like to get into contact with the living person." This experience is very
common in such circumstances. When the most intelligent Christian draws near to death, he
feels that he can rest with confidence on nothing except the great elementary truths of
God's glorious gospel, and the living person of His risen Son. And when we are in a state
of spiritual decay; when our "soul is full of troubles, and our life draweth nigh
unto the grave," (Ps. 88:3); when our - "spirit is overwhelmed, and our
heart within us is desolate," (Ps. 143:4) there is nothing so reviving and
invigorating as the leading fundamental truths of the gospel of Christ. The
faithful saying, "that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I
am chief," (1 Tim. 1:15) is at once the means of reviving the Christian, and of
giving life to the self-despairing sinner; for the gospel is "the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth," (Rom. 1:16). "None but
Jesus" can avail us either for peace of conscience with reference to past
transgressions, peace of heart with reference to present circumstances, or for peace of
mind with reference to future prospects. This is not theory, but experience, as every
child of God knows. Another writes:
I feel that nothing can do me good but personal contact with
the living person of the Lord Jesus. Looking at systems and creeds - doctrines and duties
- may be all very well in its own place, but if I am to be a healthy, fruit-bearing
Christian, I must look steadily and confidingly to the great High Priest who assumed our
nature to bear our sins and win our confidence. When, by faith, we are enabled to fix a
steady gaze on Jesus, how little do we care for the smile or frown of the world! 'Looking
unto Jesus' enables the ‘worm Jacob' to ‘thresh the mountains, and beat them
small, and make the hills as chaff,' (Isa. 41:15). But I often feel that it is a very
difficult matter to look away from myself, though I am sure I never get anything there to
make me feel happy. No, all is in my Redeemer, and it is only when I am looking to Him as
‘all my salvation' that I feel satisfied, and think I could face death with
composure.
The late Lady Colquhoun was one who knew the preciousness
and power of resting on Christ Jesus alone for peace, comfort, and salvation, and from
personal experience she was "able to teach others also." Writing to a young
friend, she gave this excellent counsel:
"As well in our winters as our summers the foundation
standeth sure - ‘Christ is all.’ With Him is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning. Precious truth! Let us rest upon it, and cease from the vain endeavour to
find anything in us that can give the shadow of hope. Abiding hope must be fixed on the
object that changeth not. We change daily, hourly. He remains glorious in holiness
eternally. And this perfection is in the court of heaven our representative. Can we
want more? Shall we say, I will add a few of my virtues and graces to the
account? When we are guilty of this folly, we weary ourselves seeking for them, for
they cannot be found, and our harp hangs upon the willows. But we resume the songs of Zion
when we look entirely from ourselves to ‘the Lord our righteousness.' How is it with
you, dear A.? Can you rejoice in the Lord always? If not, experience will teach you that
living on frames and feelings will not do - that comfort ebbs and flows with them - and
that you equally delude yourself when you take comfort from the feeling of nearness to
God, or when you lose it because you lack that joy in devotional exercises, which is,
nevertheless, extremely desirable, and much to be prized. This, however, is distinct from
joy in Christ crucified, and in Christ our righteousness; and it is very possible to feel
little heart for prayer, and to mourn an absent God, and yet to stand firm on the sure
foundation, rejoicing in Christ, and never doubting that we are complete in Him.
The reason why many real Christians are harassed
with doubts, fears, and darkness, is that they leave off leaning entirely upon their
beloved Saviour, and rest part of the weight of their souls' eternal well-being, on their
own experience. The fruits of righteousness wrought in us by the grace of the Holy Spirit
are precious as evidences, but they cannot be trusted as grounds of salvation, unless with
much spiritual detriment to our souls. Legh Richmond, writing to his mother, says:
Your occasional doubts and fears arise from too much
considering faith and repentance as the grounds, rather than the evidences, of
salvation. Our salvation is not because we do well, but because 'He in whom we trust
hath done all things well.' The believing sinner is never more happy and secure than when,
at the same moment, he beholds and feels his own vileness, and also his Saviour's
excellence. You look at yourself too much, and at the infinite price paid for you too
little. For conviction you must look at yourself, but for comfort at your Saviour.
Thus the wounded Israelites were to look only at the brazen serpent for recovery. The
graces of the Spirit are good things for others to judge us by, but it is Christ himself
received, believed in, rested upon, loved, and followed, that will speak peace to
ourselves. By looking unto Him we shall grow holy; and the more holy we grow, the more we
shall mourn over sin, and be sensible how very far short we come of what we yet desire to
be. While our sanctification is a gradual and still imperfect work, our justification
is perfect and complete: the former is wrought in us, the, latter for us.
Rely simply as a worthless sinner on the Saviour, and the latter is all your own, with its
accompanying blessings of pardon, acceptance, adoption, and the nonimputation of sin to
your charge. Hence will flow thankful obedience, devotedness of heart, etc. This salvation
is by faith alone, and thus saving faith works by love. Embrace these principles freely,
fully, and impartially, and you will enjoy a truly scriptural peace, assurance and
comfort.
For if Christ be born within,
Soon that likeness shall appear
Which the heart had lost through sin
God's own image fair and clear,
And the soul serene and bright
Mirrors back His heavenly light.
Continue With: Chapter 10: Faith In The Blood Of
Jesus The Spring Of Holiness
Back to: Chapter 8: Faith In The Blood Of Jesus Essential To
Salvation
Return to: Table of Contents
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