When asked, the majority of professing Christians would acknowledge that Jesus died for their sins. But if asked why that was important, most would shrug and be unable to explain.
From man’s beginning, as recorded in Genesis, it is found that our first parents, Adam and Eve, were sinners. Because of their sin of disobedience to God, as promised, death entered the human race.
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:17
To cover their nakedness after they sinned, God killed animals to provide covering for them. Since this first sacrifice foreshadowed what Christ would do for humanity, who was called the “Lamb of God,” the sacrifice was most likely a sheep. From the first sin, blood had to be shed because of sin.
“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Gen. 3:21
Side note: Many of the references to Lamb in the New Testament, where capitalized, as they are proper nouns referring to a person — Christ.
Throughout the Old Testament, blood continued to be shed to cover humankind’s iniquities. The offering had to be repeated because it did not permanently cover the people’s sins.
The blood of animals, such as sheep, goats, bulls, and birds, was sacrificed as an offering for people’s transgressions against God. Eventually, God made laws (from Genesis to Leviticus) detailing how offerings should be made and when.
After more sin was committed or during certain times of the year, blood again had to be offered as a sacrifice for personal and Israel’s sins. Animals were sacrificed to cover humankind’s transgressions. That is what God insisted. If there was no blood sacrifice, there was no forgiveness of iniquity.
Those sacrifices were not a good work to earn anyone Heaven. No one can earn an eternity with God. Salvation from Hell is a gift that God gives to those who trust and believe what Jesus did for them.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Disobedience to God’s laws continued. At times, God’s laws were not followed.
God, however, not wanting any to perish offered a permanent sacrifice to cover all iniquity’s violators. That gift was the blood of God’s only son, Jesus. After realizing one’s sinfulness and knowing without that payment for their iniquities one would go to Hell, one can escape eternal punishment by trusting Jesus’ sacrifice for what they did against God.
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Trusting Christ’s payment for our iniquities is the only way to pay our sin-debt to God. After asking Jesus to save, any sinner can be saved and spared an eternally tormenting Hell.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
“I [Jesus] am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4
The majority of man-made religions teach that there are other ways to obtain Heaven. Some declare that following their ordinances, doing good deeds, baptism, praying to dead saints of the past, rituals, and many other works will earn one Heaven, please God and then He will let them into His Heaven. They will not!
Jesus paid a tremendous price for our sins — His life. By accepting His free gift, one can have God’s promise of Heaven. It is the only way. Have you asked and trusted Christ to be your Saviour?
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9
“This is the very essence of true salvation — personally living with a personal Savior, personally trusting a personal Redeemer, personally crying out to a personal Intercessor, and receiving personal answers from a Person who loves us, and who manifests Himself to us.” — Spurgeon
