Surpassing Redemption

Relevant Bible Verses:-

1) John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

2) Romans 5:10 For if we, being enemies, were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more we will be saved in His life, having been reconciled,

3) John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear; and immediately there came out blood and water.

The article entitled "Blood Is Thicker Than Water" posted in Sept 08 dealt with the two aspects of the blood and water that flowed out from our Lord's pierced side. Firstly, it takes away our sins (redemptive aspect) and secondly, it imparts life (life-imparting aspect) into us.

I am now incline to expound on the life imparting aspect of the Lord's death for human race, because I find that the life imparting aspect is even more breathtaking than the redemptive aspect.

On the surface, it seems that redemptive aspect of the new covenant (see "New Covenant" posted 13 Nov 08) is excellent, marvelous and perfect that nothing can surpass it. But when I examine closer, I notice that the life-imparting aspect has in fact exceeded beyond redemption. Having been washed in the blood of the Lamb is just not enough and incomplete. Read on...

The day we accepted Christ as our personal saviour, we asked the Lord for the forgiveness of our sins, recognizing the power of the cleansing blood of Christ. Should we stop there, although we are washed, we will still be "dead" in our spirit. We are just been deadly cleansed. It is pointless to remain washed, we must also be living. We must proceed to live with our regenerated life.

If we are been redeemed without being reborn, our condition is still poor. God's purpose is that redemption be followed by the imparting of life. That is the reason why blood flowed out first from the pierced side of Christ followed by water. Redemption is to prepare the way for us to receive the divine regenerated life. The water must follow the blood. The blood is for redemption, forming a foundation in which we may be cleansed, and the water is for regeneration, forming a fountain of living water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14).

Praise the Lord! We are being regenerated with the life-imparting Spirit of God.