Love and Blood

To understand God’s love for His church, one must consider the blood of Christ. There is no greater love than for one to lay down His own life for His friends (Jn 15:13). This is exactly what God the Son has done for His beloved bride, His church (Eph 5:25), the Israel of God (Gal 6:16).

When Adam sinned in the Garden, the knowledge of God’s love was veiled in the fall (Gen 3). Still, Adam and his progeny were left with the promise of God (Gen 3:15). The promise of man’s victory over the deceiving serpent meant there was hope amidst disaster.

As history unfolded from God’s predetermined plan (Acts 2:23), a clearer understanding of God’s attributes was manifest. Noah learned of God’s righteous judgments and the fury of His wrath (Gen 6–9). Abraham learned that God’s promises were treasures within an oath and unconditional covenant of grace (Gen 12, 15, 17). Moses was made privy to the Law (Ex 20; Dt 5), which elevated man’s illumination of God’s holiness and humanity’s depravity.

When the Israelites tallied the many benefits given to them by God (ie. promises, covenant, tabernacle/temple, priesthood, Law, Scriptures, and prophets), they became increasingly aware of God’s exclusive love for His chosen people. As God further developed the Hebrew Scriptures, terms of affection were captured in the Psalms and Song of Solomon.

The advent of Christ, the Son of God sent from heaven, was the zenith of love confirmed (Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 3:16). God’s own identity would be linked to His attribute of love…God is love (1 Jn 4:8). Central to His demonstrating His love is the death of His Son on the Cross (Rom 5:8–10). What love is this?

Agape is God’s own brand of love. When the precious blood of Christ was shed (Mt 26:28; Heb 9:22; 1 Pet 1:19), the motive was love for God’s elect, whom the Father had loved in predestining them to adoption as sons before the creation (Eph 1:4–5; Rom 8:30). The execution of salvation required the satisfaction of divine justice. Sins are criminal transgressions (1 Jn 3:4). Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness (Heb 9:22).

Jesus’ shed blood is synonymous with the death of God’s Son, who is also called, “the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29).” An unblemished lamb was required for worship in the temple on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The sacrificial lamb was accompanied by a second, who would receive the blood of the first (lay hands on head and confess sins), as the first was offered, a sacrifice for sins. The second was set free and lived. As blood was taken by the high priest, into the holiest of holies in the temple, it was placed on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. Seeing the blood, God issued mercy and forgiveness to the nation of Israel.

God’s Word reveals God’s heart of love for His people (Jer 31:3). The Scriptures reveal God’s love in election (Eph 1:4, 5). God’s love is also noted in His sending His Son into the world (Jn 3:16). Love is recorded in Jesus Christ’s sacrificial blood offering of Himself at Jerusalem (Rom 5:8; 1 Jn 3:16). This love for His redeemed people is poured out in their hearts, as the Spirit is given to them as a gift (Acts 2:38; 10:45; Rom 5:5).

God is love (1 Jn 4:8) and because He first loved us (1 Jn 4:19), we love the brethren (1 Jn 3:14). The blood of Christ purifies the Christian (Heb 1:3). There is no love for God in the uncircumcised heart (Jn 5:42; 8:42). The unregenerate heart has a distorted love for others, as well. The unbeliever is a self-lover.

True love manifests when Christ, our Passover sacrifice was circumcised on the Cross (1 Cor 5:7; Heb 9:26). He cut the covenant of grace (Mt 26:28). He was pierced for our transgressions (Is 53:5). He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev 5:6, 12; 13:8). His Father lifted Him up for the world to see…real love.

There is no more sacrifice for sins (Heb 7:27). Christ’s body was pinned to a tree…once. He bore our sins in His body, once, for all His people (Is 53:12; Heb 9:12; 10:10; 1 Pet 2:24). His church is the Israel of God (Is 49:1–6; Gal 6:16), who God claims is, “My Beloved (1 Kgs 10:9).”

See what kind of love the father has for us, His church, that we should be called, “children of God (1 Jn 3:1, 10).” Here is the extent God was willing, and, of course, required to go to secure reconciliation and union. The price tag of redemption is infinite, as is the value of the riches of Christ. He alone was able.

The fruit of our union with Christ comes from the gracious work of the indwelling Spirit of Christ (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; 1 Cor 3:16; Gal 4:6; 2 Tim 1:14; Jas 4:5). The fruit of the Spirit is love (Gal 5:22). Blood-bought believers have love manifesting in them (Acts 20:28; Eph 3:17). Love for God and love for one’s neighbor is supernatural (Eph 6:24). It is a product of the grace of God (2 Thess 2:16). It never fails (1 Cor 13:8) because it is God at work (Phil 2:13). It is the greatest of God’s gifts because it endures forever (2 Chron 9:8), whereas gifts of faith and hope cease because they will no longer be needed in the new heavens and the new earth (1 Cor 13:13; Rev 21–22).

Christian, you are witness to love at work. God is love, and He is at work throughout the world (Rev 5:9; 7:9). He is proclaiming His love for His elect, redeemed, regenerate saints. These believe the testimony of the Spirit, who has brought love into their hearts. The Spirit shows them Christ’s blood, and their trust remains in Him, who is faithful and true. He loved, and He has proven His love…by His blood.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

May 19, 2022