It’s All in There!

“who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed”. 1 Peter 2:24

ln the legal world, contracts are the usual way of sealing agreements. They are enforceable when certain key elements on the part of the parties are present. These elements include offer and acceptance etc. However, contracts can also be rendered of no effect when certain factors such as  fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence and duress are present.

A covenant is a higher form of a contract. These peculiar pacts have been with us from time immemorial. They are often sealed with blood, among communities and individuals that use them. The idea is to create a sense of irrevocability – till death do us part.

As Christians, our relationship with God is a covenant, a new compact. And it is sealed with the blood of Jesus. The old covenant which we read of in the Old Testament was sealed with the blood of animals. This was never permanent, and for each atonement a fresh sacrifice was needed. God decided there was surely a better way than that (Hebrews 10). Now this should make the environmentalists happy. Surely God wants to preserve his creation!

In the fullness of time, Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice once and for all for our sins. His blood was the atonement we badly needed. Anytime you take the communion, remember that you are partaking in the new agreement Christians have with God which is sealed with the blood of Jesus.

In order to appreciate communion, we need to understand what the new covenant stands for. It represents our salvation from sin and our healing from sickness (Isaiah 53, 1Peter 2:24).

Just as contracts may have the seal of a law firm or an institution to signify their authenticity, our new covenant with God also has a seal! The Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us, is a seal of this covenant (Ephesians 1:14).

If you would like to receive Christ today, you can say this simple prayer.

Dear Lord, I recognize that I am a sinner. I believe that you died to save me from my sins. I accept your gift of salvation and I ask that you come and live in my heart and make me your child. In Jesus name. Amen.