Nothing but the Blood

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7

Nothing but the blood of Jesus. This hymnwriter wanted to be sure we understood without a doubt – so he repeated this line twice in every verse of this hymn. It bears repeating, for it is vital for us to comprehend that it is Jesus’ atoning work on our behalf, His blood shed for us, which saves us, makes us whole, and guarantees our eternal home with Him.

It is Jesus’ blood, shed for us on the cross, which saves us. He redeemed us by paying the price for our sin. Before Christ, God’s people would offer sacrifices of unblemished animals to atone for their sin. And they did this year after year, as a reminder of their sinful state.

But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:3-4

However, these sacrifices never fully cleansed them from their sin – that’s why Jesus came – to be the substitution for our sin once and for all, to shed His blood so we could be forgiven.

And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22

God used His own son to pay our penalty. He didn’t “buy” our forgiveness with money or anything else – His own son shed blood so that we could be redeemed.

You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. I Peter 1:18-19

Nothing else can atone for our sin. It doesn’t matter how hard we work or how nice we are; only Jesus’ blood can save us – it is not possible for us to save ourselves.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel… II Timothy 1:8-10

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7

His blood not only saves us, but it gives us hope of eternal life. We will reach our eternal home because of the promise guaranteed to us by the blood of Jesus.

Glory, Glory, this I sing! All my praise for this I bring – nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing But the Blood
Words by Robert Lowry

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.