“Christ Purged Our Sins.”

Monday, November 02, 2020

            Hebrews 1:3 (KJV) states unmistakably that Christ “purged our sins.” Other versions use terms like “made purification,” “cleansed/cleansing,” and “washed away.” It is evident that this was done at the cross. In fact, as we read Hebrews 1:3, we see that once He purged (cleansed) our sins, He sat down at the right hand of God (Mk. 16:19; Acts 2:33; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1). I marvel at the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and the ability to succinctly describe the death and ascension of Christ for our salvation in one verse.

            Purging our sins would mean a great deal to the Hebrew Christians. They were well-aware of the sacrifices of bulls, goats, sheep, heifers, and the like. Yet, these sacrifices were not sufficient to forgive sin. Hebrews ten says the law was a “shadow of good things to come” (10:1), and the sacrifices offered served a purpose, but they could not take away sins (10:4). Yet, Jesus, in His sacrifice, was able to purge or cleanse us from our sins (1:3) -- something the Old Law wasn’t able to do! Hebrews 10:10 repeats this fact.

            What an encouragement this would have been to the people to stay faithful to Christ and not return to Judaism! Christ is the One who has purged us from sin! The dead altars of the past could do nothing of the sort. Why then, would they want to leave Christ and go back to them?

            What does this mean to us in the 21st century? Do we not still have a problem with sin? Yes, we do (Rom. 3:23)! Sin still results in the same death it always has (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:15). Now, however, instead of planning for someone in the future to purge our sins, One has already come to do that! We have a way in which we can be saved. In our salvation, we do not look toward our past for the answer, toward the practices of ancient people, to the whims and wishes of men today, or to philosophies that may dominate our culture. Instead, we look to the same Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). He is the answer!

            What has Jesus done? He has died upon the cross, and His blood was shed “for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:12-14). Now, when we believe on Christ (Jn. 8:24), repent of our sins (Lk. 13:3), confess our faith in Christ (Rom. 10:10), and are baptized (Mk. 16:16), we can be saved from sin! In baptism, we come in contact with the cleansing effect of that blood! (Rom. 6:3-6). Yes, our sins can be cleansed, purged, or washed away, thanks to Christ (Acts 22:16).

            Through the shed blood of Christ, the purging of our sins is possible. Now, will we accept the Lord’s conditions or not? Why would we want to refuse the greatest offer ever given to man? Why would we refuse the only way our sins can be purged? Don’t delay (II Cor. 6:2)! Take advantage of the Lord’s precious gift now while you have the time and opportunity (Heb. 3:7-8)!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs

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