The Happen Stance

How to Make Things Happen In Your Christian Life

K. Neill Foster

WHEN THE BRITISH EMPIRE was in its heyday, every rope in the whole Royal Navy had a crimson strand woven into it. The crimson strand told the world the rope was British.

There is a crimson line that runs all through the Bible, too. In the beginning of Genesis, Abel's offering to God was accepted because it was a meat offering, because blood had been shed. There the blood line was established.

The many references to blood in the Old Testament prepare the discerning believer to understand the significance of the blood of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. When Peter, for example, used the phrase, "sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:2), he was stimulating all kinds of recollection in the minds of the Jewish believers in Christ to whom he was addressing his letter. Blood in their scriptural record (the Old Testament) had a very great significance.

To avoid the judgment of the death angel passing through the Egyptian night, the Hebrew children were required to place blood on the door posts. This took place long before Moses received the law of God upon Mount Sinai, but it established in the minds of God's children the importance of blood.

LEVITICAL LAWS

Later the Levitical laws reinforced the concept of the importance of blood. Animals had to die. In the shedding of their blood, remission of sins was secured. The emphasis on blood (which is extreme, because it is life itself to the one who loses it) persistently implied that sin could never be considered as anything less than a terribly grave offense against a holy God. No Hebrew could witness the massive slaughter of animals without realizing that the blood on the altar had cost the animal its life. No Hebrew could watch the river of blood around the Old Testament tabernacle without realizing that the offenses, the sins which required the shedding of blood for remission, must have been very serious actions indeed. The remedy Jehovah required was in itself a mighty lesson. Nothing less than death could bring forgiveness and life to a sinner.

GALLONS OF BLOOD

I was reared on a farm where occasionally I watched the butchering of a farm animal. Often a rifle was used to kill the animal, but I have seen a sledge hammer used to knock a cow into unconsciousness. Then the butcher's razor-sharp knife was thrust into the throat of the animal. And gallons of blood rushed out. Or so it seemed. One does not easily forget such events. They mark the mind. And I suppose that is one of the reasons why God decreed the shedding of so much blood in the Old Testament.

When Paul was referring to Old Testament happenings he said, "Now all these things happened unto them [the Hebrews] for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Cor.10:11). Nowhere is this more true than in the many references to blood in the Old Testament.

THE COMING LAMB

Obviously, it would be possible to fill many books with writings about the shedding of blood as it was observed under the Law. But I wish only to establish in the minds of my readers that the killing of lambs and the flow of blood under the Old Covenant simply anticipated and prefigured the shedding of Christ's blood. He is the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev. 13:8).

The blood of bulls and goats, or even lambs, cannot help us today. For the Christian caught in a web of sins and circumstances, assaulted by Satan, pressed beyond measure, only the blood of Jesus Christ avails. Because of the present power of the blood of Jesus Christ, it is still possible to overcome, to win the fight against the awesome powers of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

PRESENT POWER

Julius Caesar once had unrivaled power. At its zenith, no earthly power could surpass it. But today anyone can mock the name of Julius Caesar without consequences. The reason is he has no present power. But the blood of Jesus Christ has present power. If His blood is mocked, there are consequences. Peter wrote, "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, . . . but with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Pet. 1:18, 19).

The application is clear enough. Silver and gold are corruptible. But Jesus' blood is not. If I may say so, I believe Jesus' blood is as red and warm as it ever was. Never has it clotted or coagulated. It is incorruptible. And that is why it has present power.

That power is redemptive. Speaking of the Savior, Paul said, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:14). When Paul was saying farewell to the Ephesian elders, he reminded them that the church had been "purchased with his [Christ's] own blood" (Acts 20:28). (The context suggests God's blood, not Christ's - a powerful argument that Jesus is God.)

THE CURRENCY OF BLOOD

In my travels to various parts of the world I have used many currencies. In the Republic of Zaire, for example, one zaire equals two American dollars. In the Dominican Republic one peso equals one American dollar. But outside these countries these currencies have little value. They are limited by their own geographical and political contexts. In Canada or the United States I cannot use a zaire or a peso.

In contrast to the zaire and the peso, the United States dollar is negotiable nearly worldwide. It shows signs of weakening and it may be replaced by a world currency some day; but right now, if you want to buy something, the best thing in all the world to have is an American dollar. It has purchasing power - redemptive power in the secular sense.

To purchase living souls, to ransom them from Satan's clutches, only one currency will do: the blood of Jesus Christ.

This same blood also has justifying power. "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him" (Rom. 5:9). To be justified, in the language of the layman, means, "God took our sins and put them on Christ and then took Christ's righteousness and gave it to us in exchange."⁴ Men may receive a new status and attain a new relationship to God through the blood which splashed on Calvary's knoll nearly 2,000 years ago. Incredible, but true.

NOT A SUPERSAINT

I have a friend who really loves Christ. Some of his habits leave a bit to be desired and he certainly does not come on as a supersaint. But he loves God. And he should. I get the feeling from talking with him that his life was rough before he came to Jesus. He hasn't told me so, but I get the feeling there are not very many sins he hasn't tried.

The thing that impresses me most, though, is how my friend revels in his new relationship with Christ. I would not want anyone to explore the depths of sin just so he could revel in God's righteousness. But for one who has been that sad route, justification is a fantastic thing. It is really, really great.

Now don't forget: The blood of Jesus Christ - which on a certain day of history at a certain time of day was poured out - sets people free now.

Romans 3:25, speaking of Jesus Christ, adds this, "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood." The editors of the Scofield Bible describe propitiation thus:

 The thought in the Old Testament sacrifices and in the New Testament fulfillment is that Christ completely satisfied the just demands of a holy God for judgment on sin by His death on the cross. God, foreseeing the cross, is declared righteous in forgiving sins in the Old Testament period as well as in justifying sinners under the new covenant (Rom. 3:25-26; cp. Exod. 29:33). Propitiation is not placating a vengeful God but, rather, it is satisfying the righteousness of a holy God, thereby making it possible for Him to show mercy righteously. ⁵

May we justly and properly receive God's mercy today? Of course. Because the blood has present propitiating power.

RIGHT TO BE SEVERE

If a wife has been unfaithful, for example, her husband has a just and proper right to be severe with her. But he can also be merciful and forgiving. It is proper and just for him to be merciful and forgiving. That is propitiation. Though we deserve hell and judgment it is now possible for us to receive God's mercy - all through the blood, our present propitiating power.

Christ's blood also has pacifying power. Christ "made peace through the blood of his cross" (Col. 1:20). He reconciled all things unto Himself, Paul adds, and all this through His blood.

WAR SOMEWHERE

If peace must be made, there is war somewhere. If pacification must take place, there is rebellion somewhere. And if you think there is no war in the heavenlies, you are mistaken. If you think there is no rebellion in this world, you are blind.

I believe that Jesus' blood makes peace between the angry rebellion of men and the offended holiness of God. God is the sworn enemy of the guerillas of sin and evil. But the blood, the present power of the blood of Christ, is sufficient to pacify the just wrath of God against sin. Praise God for this present pacifying power.

The blood of Jesus Christ, shed so long ago, cleanses from sin today. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). And the tense of the verb "cleanseth" indicates that it is a continual cleansing that takes place. Continual! Can you believe it?

Author Pete Gillquist says, "Forgiveness is better than you think!" If you have asked God to forgive you, you are now perfect in His sight - by the blood. Christ has not only cleansed your past sins by His blood, He has also made provision for cleansing your future sins. And if you are "walking in the light," He constantly cleanses you from sin now. It is all included.

CONFESSION NECESSARY

This does not negate for a moment the necessity of confession of sin. But who among us can confess the sins we have committed but do not even know about? The Bible, you should realize, says there are sins of ignorance (Lev. 5:15). And the psalmist prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me" (Ps. 139:23,24, italics mine). The Laodicean church did not even know its true state (Rev. 3:17).

But thank God for the cleansing of the blood of Christ. This truth, like so many others, has to be held in careful perspective and balance. Rejoice in the continual cleansing of Jesus' blood. And stay open and sensitive in the matter of confession of your sins to God - and sometimes to men. God's continual forgiveness never negates the need for confession or repentance.

POPPING IN AND OUT

But the immature Christian who is continually popping in and out of fellowship, depending on whether or not he has confessed every sin in his life, needs to realize that Jesus' blood continually cleanses. And he needs to realize as well that issues still need to be faced and sin still needs to be confessed.

Christ's death dealt a destructive blow to Satan's kingdom (Heb. 2:14). Jesus talked about the prince of this world being judged and cast out. The implication is clear - the blood of Jesus Christ has awesome destructive power. Satan was destroyed at Calvary.

His destruction was total and complete - though it still awaits actuality. Satan is destroyed. That is certain. But until Satan's sentence is executed, he continues to exercise his weakened power. The satanic life-root has been irrevocably cut. We wait only for the leaves to shrivel and die.

I do not know the number of times I have been involved in Christian warfare. Nor do I really care. But one constant among several in the warfare is this - the blood of Jesus Christ will blast the enemy loose. Jesus' blood has present overcoming power. It is for the now, the same now in which people live and struggle with their problems.

Through the blood of Jesus also comes protection. Just as the blood upon the door posts protected Israel as the death angel passed by, so today the blood of Jesus Christ protects and covers.

A while ago my son Jeff was being troubled by nightmares and bad dreams. We felt their source was certainly not divine and so we prayed and placed him "under Jesus' blood." He sensed the difference, though he is just a lad, and he himself began to pray, "Lord Jesus, cover me with your precious blood."

I believe what you ask for you will receive. If you claim the protective, covering blood of Jesus Christ, you are covered. Probably the only time this is not true is when a person deliberately marches off the safety of biblical ground.

On one occasion I was asked to tape two television programs and give a church address, all on the subject of exorcism. Instinctively, before I entered those ministries, I "covered" my family and loved ones with the blood of Jesus Christ. However, I failed to pray that my faithful secretary would also be covered. Soon after, she fell on the ice and required hospitalization for a month. My ministry (with all the people involved) had not been totally placed under the blood of Jesus Christ. It taught me a sober lesson. I trust I have learned it well.

The importance of Jesus' blood is very great. It is so greatly important because it involves His person. (Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:14.) The present power of the blood of Jesus Christ is an extension of His own presence and power.

ANY BLOOD WILL NOT DO

It is not blood that makes the difference. Any blood will not do. It has to be the blood of Jesus. Jesus' blood is His life, His person, Himself. And He is God Almighty. There is power in the blood, power that is awesome indeed.

I have often seen the power of wind in uprooted, overthrown, destroyed trees. Those trees remind me of the power of Jesus' blood over the enemy. Satan's roots and life were destroyed by Christ's blood.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (Acts 10:38). He did it with His blood. Note, for the first time in this study the blood is shown to have an offensive (as contrasted with defensive) power. It is a weapon of war.

Where Satan surreptitiously holds ground today, the present offensive, destructive powers of Jesus' blood need to be unleashed. Jesus is victor!

BLUMHARDT'S BATTLE

One of the longest known battles with demonic power took place in Germany when the godly Pastor Blumhardt waged lengthy and holy war against the demons which had invaded Gottleibin Dittus, a young woman. The battle raged for two years. Thousands of demons were expelled. All kinds of unusual phenomena were observed.

Pastor Blumhardt was careful never to counsel the girl except in the presence of reliable witnesses. Metal objects and even living animals were expelled through her mouth as the war against Satan proceeded. But finally, by persistent, prevailing prayer and by the destructive power of the blood of Jesus Christ, the strongholds of Satan were thrown down and the girl was liberated. Thereafter she became a teacher of children, and according to Blumhardt's testimony, was marked by "insight, love, patience, and kindness."⁶

WIN POWER

As mentioned earlier, Jesus' blood has overcoming power. In Revelation 12:11 the saints are seen to overcome Satan "by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony." There is "win power" in the blood of Jesus. The word from which "overcome" is derived is an old Greek battle term meaning "to conquer" or "to come off the field as victor." This truth is major!

And what is there to win? Or maybe we should ask, over whom do we have to win? There is a crown to win in the future and there is a battle to win over Satan - by the blood - now. Thank God the blood is incorruptible. Thank God it has present power.

Win power, now!

It is enough to make the believer recklessly jubilant. And perhaps that is why Jesus said "Rejoice not .. that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20).

Chapter 6