The Power of the BloodExemple

The Power of the Blood Brings a Loving Friendship with God The covenant between God and Abraham indicated a special closeness of lifelong friendship. In both the Old and New Testament, Abraham is called God’s friend: But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend (Isaiah 41:8). And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God (James 2:23). The covenant that bound God and Abraham was based upon the foundation of friendship between them. This covenant, however, was not only between God and Abraham; it was also between God and all of Abraham’s seed. The blood, in essence, “coagulated” all of Abraham’s seed in a covenant relationship with God. I looked up the word “friend” and found several meanings—one meaning is “neighbor” and another is “companion.” Although God and Abraham were, indeed, close companions, the word friend in these Scriptures means “loving ones.” The shed blood in this covenant showed the closeness between God and Abraham. The shed blood of Jesus brought us into a covenant where God is loving toward us. We, in return, have become loving ones—not only toward God—but also toward each other. Jesus described this powerful love in John 13:35: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The evidence of God’s love in our lives is the proof that Jesus’ blood has made us partakers in a covenant relationship with God! This covenant made us more than just friends with God: It caused us to enter the fullness of His love. Jesus said, “This time, man will not be cut in making this covenant. I will be cut. I will lay down My life and have My side pierced and My back scourged for My friends, My loving ones”: Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you (John 15:13–14).