I recall noticing a billboard once while driving to work that read, “Give Blood, Save a Life.” That caused me to think back to when our entire nation rallied together in an overwhelming movement to donate blood, a moment in time when people turned out in droves with lines spanning for blocks. It was a time when Americans from all walks of life and both sides of the political aisle banded together for the common good. It was when neighbors loved their neighbors without judgment, and churches across the nation were packed with standing-room-only for weeks on end. Those were the days in the wake of September 11, 2001.
The adult human body holds about 10-pints of blood that carries vital oxygen and nutrients to tissues throughout the body. Blood also has hormones to regulate select body functions as well as carry waste products to the kidneys. If the body loses about 4-pints of blood, it could be life-threatening without immediate medical attention. Interestingly, the United States and Canada use about 43,000-thousand pints of blood every day, and that a single pint can save three lives. Surprisingly, some 4.5 million Americans need blood transfusions each year, according to givingblood.org.
We all know that blood is vital to our bodies’ physical survival, but what about our soul’s spiritual survival? More than 2000-years ago, there was a single blood donor who allowed His blood to be shed by the hands of sinful people so that all of humanity could spiritually survive and not perish. His name is Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ, the Lamb of God. The Bible teaches that blood represents life (Gen 9:4), but unlike the blood donated by people that can only prolong one’s mortal life, the shed blood of Christ brings about the forgiveness of sin, the redemption of one’s soul, and the blessing of eternal life in heaven.
Imagine, if you will, that you were in a terrible accident and have lost nearly 2 to 3-pints of blood while the paramedics try to control the bleeding. When you reach the emergency room, the doctors prepare to replenish your body with much-needed blood. Here is the question: Will you gladly accept, or would you refuse the life-saving blood that your body so desperately needs? More than likely, everyone would gladly accept the blood because, at that point, people would realize the severity of their injury and the helplessness to save themselves.
Would you be surprised to know that example describes the spiritual state of millions of people today who suffer from sin’s injuries? People who do not yet realize the severity of their injury and their inability to help or save themselves. People who need the Great Physician to intercede on their behalf to save them spiritually. The good news is God stands at the ready with open arms to bring healing and renewal to everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord. The price was paid by the ultimate blood donor Jesus Christ whose life-saving blood has the power to save all the world’s generations, but one must believe to receive that precious gift.
If you would like to accept Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord and be cleansed, forgiven of sin, by His life-saving blood, then all you need to do is call upon His name right now in prayer. You can either lift your prayer or use the prayer below as a guide, but remember, you must confess you are a sinner, that you believe Jesus is the Son of God who died on a cross for your sins and that he rose from the grave. You must do this with a heart of repentance, meaning you will turn away from your sin, from that which displeases God. Understand that you are not coming to Christ by way of intellectual ascent but by faith. Let us pray.
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and ask for your forgiveness with a heart of repentance. By faith, I believe that Jesus is Your only begotten Son who died on a cross for my sins. I believe that you raised Him from the dead and that He now sits at Your right hand. I humbly confess Him as my Savior and Lord, and I welcome the Holy Spirit into my life to help and guide me along the narrow path that leads to eternal life in heaven. Thank you, Father! I lift this prayer to You in the blessed and holy name of Jesus, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer or lifted your own to invite Jesus into your life as your Savior and Lord, welcome to the family of God. Please be encouraged to contact a Christian friend or your local Bible-believing church and tell that person or someone at the church that you accepted Jesus into your life. That person will gladly guide you in the steps ahead to help you grow stronger in your faith and closer to God.
It is refreshing to see that so many Americans are willing to rush to their fellow compatriots in times of crisis to donate blood. However, how sad it is to see so many Christians who are hesitant or unwilling to share the gospel. They purposely refrain from telling others about Jesus’ life-saving blood in their time of need. Therefore, be encouraged to tell others about Jesus Christ today and help save a life for all eternity.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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