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The Greatest Obstacle

 Everyone struggles with something. This is not limited by a person’s status in life, his personal financial situation, or his educational level. Problems affect everyone straight across the board. As we consider all the problems we have ever been faced with, there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest. That is the problem of sin itself.

Think about it for a moment. Every other problem we deal with is limited to the realms of this life. If the problem of sin is not dealt with in this life, the consequences carry forth into eternity (Revelation 21:8). Therefore, sin is by far man’s greatest trouble.

The good news is that sin has a cure. That cure is found only in the blood of Christ. Paul wrote, “In Him we have redemption though His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7). This redemption is only available through Jesus. Peter stated, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

We see the power in the blood of Jesus through the imagery of the Old Testament Passover. The Lord would pass through the land of Egypt and destroy all the first born of all among the people and among their cattle (Exodus 11:4-5). The only exception was for those who put the blood of the Passover lamb upon their doorpost. The Lord would see the blood and pass over the house without afflicting any harm to those covered (Exodus 12:13).

The apostle Paul declared that today the Lord is our Passover. He wrote, “…For Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (1 Corinthians 5:7b) John declared of Jesus, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) It is only through the blood of Christ that we find redemption and the forgiveness of our sins (Ephesian 1:7).

The way we are cleansed of our sins is by coming in contact with His precious blood. We do this through our faith in Christ (John 8:24). We repent of our sins (Luke 13:3, 5). We confess His name before men (Luke 12:8-9). Then we are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27) for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). Remembering that Jesus shed His blood in His death (John 19:34) and we contact His soul-cleansing blood when we are baptized into His death (Romans 6:4).

As we continue to live out our lives, we will certainly have various troubles that we encounter. However, it gives us great joy to know that the greatest struggle has already been conquered through our loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us therefore, live for Him each and every day.

God Bless each of you,

Eric Hicks

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