“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses…” Eph. 1:7

“What can wash away my sin? Nothing. What can make me whole again? Nothing. For my pardon, this I see: Nothing. For my cleansing, this my plea: Nothing. Nothing can for sin atone, nothing. Naught of good that I have done, nothing. This is all my hope and peace, nothing. This is all my righteousness, nothing.”

Have you seen the hopelesness of your guilt? Have you been made to feel the despair of helplessness that your sin has wrought? Do you realize that there is nothing you can do, nothing you can offer, nothing you can change, nothing you can feel, nothing you can suffer that will remove the imbedded stain of sin and its corruption from your soul and from before your God? If not, then beg God to make you see, for only when we are brought to the end of ourselves, then, will we be able to see the hope-filled, life-giving, heart-transforming answer.

“What can wash away my sin? Nothing, but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? 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.” (Words taken from Robert Lowry’s hymn, “Nothing but the Blood”; bold-type mine)

The answer to our sinful condition and guilt lies completely outside of us. The forgiveness and cleansing we need, the hope and peace we desire, and the sufficient plea and righteousness we must have are found only in Christ. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.” The answer has been given; the work has been done; the fountain of cleansing has been opened; and peace with God has been established by nothing, but the blood of Jesus. 

Dear unbeliever, won’t you look away from yourself and look only to Christ crucified and risen? Fellow believer, what more do we need for our standing in grace and peace with God? What other provisions do we need than all that has been given to us because of the blood of Jesus (i.e. Eph. 1:1-14)? Nothing.

“Oh! precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” (Lowry)

A.W. Pink, an influential writer and Bible teacher of the 20th century, once said, “We have two eyes and two ears but only one tongue as if to show we should see and hear twice as much as we say!”

As challenging as his words may be, they do serve as a needed reminder of the biblical warnings regarding the use of our tongues. Here are just 8 verses for our consideration:

“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” Ps 34:13

“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” Prov. 10:19

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Prov. 12:18

“Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” Prov. 13:3

“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.” Prov. 20:19

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matt 12:36-37

“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” Eph 5:4

“…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” James 1:19

When we consider these Scriptures we cry out, “Who among us has not fallen prey to the sins of the tongue?” Certainly, we recognize the truth of James 3:2 that it would take a perfect man to not stumble in the use of the tongue! Thankfully, the perfect Man has come, and He has fulfilled all righteousness even regarding the tongue. The Servant of the Lord prophesied through the mouth of Isaiah, “The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward” (Is. 50:4,5). The Lord Jesus faithfully heard and spoke the word of His Father and endured life unto death with a sinless tongue. Through his blood our sins of speech can be forgiven, by his life-giving tongue our weary souls may be sustained, and through his presence by the indwelling Spirit we too may learn to have a well-taught tongue.
“O be careful little tongue what you say!”

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Ps 20:14