The Blood of Christ

Among the differences between Christians is the understanding of salvation. Some believe ‘once saved always saved’. Others believe that salvation is by grace alone. Still others believe that salvation must be earned. One thing is consistent. Salvation requires the Blood of Christ, but we can’t seem to agree on what that means.

Brethren, we have redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us. For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.

Ephesians 1.7-17

I have heard many Christians claim that we are saved by the blood that Christ shed on the Cross. In much the same way as the Old Testament animal sacrifices, many believe that God forgives because of the blood offered on the Altar. Go back and read the sacrifice laws in the Old Testament.

You will notice that all the sacrifices were offered AFTER the forgiveness, not to cause it. The sacrifice was offered as a testimony of the agreement between God and man, not the cause of it. That means the blood that Christ shed on the cross did not cause our salvation. It was the testimony of our agreement with God.

It was also part of the Old Testament sacrifices to share the blood from the animal with those offering it to God. This was a way for the offerer to connect with God. Still, that was not the cause of salvation. It was the result of salvation.

Let’s return to the question of salvation. What do we believe in the Orthodox Church? Salvation is being in communion with God. It is not earned, but it is nurtured. It is a gift from God that is not forced upon us. We must freely ‘drink from the cup of salvation’ to nurture it.

The ‘event’ on the Cross was the testimony of God’s covenant with us. Holy Communion is our ability to drink the blood to commune with God. The agreement was freely given to us, and we must freely accept it.

Our relationship with God is nurtured in a variety of ways. The central way is through Holy Communion which is only offered in the Divine Liturgy. If we want to accept the gift of salvation and nurture our union with God, we must find time to attend Divine Liturgy regularly.

Christ said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6.53) He was talking about Holy Communion. If salvation is having eternal life united to God, then we must make time to be in Divine Liturgy and receive Holy Communion.