Probably the most accurate and impressive description ever given concerning a child of God and the blessings we have in Jesus Christ (outside the Scriptures) was written by Fanny J. Crosby back in 1873. Even today it is familiar to millions and millions of worshipers all over the world. The astonishing thing about this descriptive concept is its brevity – The entire statement is only 14 words!
“Heir of Salvation, Purchase of God;
Born of His Spirit, Washed in His Blood”.
When meshed together these words can help us understand the Gospel plan of salvation, lead us to Christ, strengthen our faith, improve our relationship with God, and guide us into greater service for Him. But first let’s consider them on an individual basis since each one is an indescribable gift on its own.
HEIR OF SALVATION – No matter what stuff or how much wealth anyone may be left by a rich uncle or a loving grandmother, nothing can compare to what God through Christ has promised that mankind may INHERIT. Namely, eternal life and the beauties and pleasures of Heaven with both the Father and the Son. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, ‘Abba,Father’. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God; and if children, then HEIRS – HEIRS of God and JOINT HEIRS with Christ”. (Rom 8:14-17). When one obeys the Gospel in baptism, he becomes a Child of God/A Christian becoming an HEIR of the promises of God and a JOINT HEIR with Christ through His mercy and grace. Paul put it a different way in Gal 3:27-29: “For as many of you as were baptized INTO Christ have put on Christ…and if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and HEIRS according to the PROMISE”.
In the same Galatian letter, Paul was discussing righteousness by faith versus keeping of the law. He illustrated his point using our redemption and adoption as sons leading to the position of HEIR. “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law; to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, hen an HEIR of God through Christ”. (Gal 4:4-7).
PURCHASE OF GOD – The concept of God PURCHASING His people did not originate in the New Testament but was revealed in Old Testament Scripture. “Remember Your congregation, which You have PURCHASED of old, The tribe of Your INHERITANCE, which You have REDEEMED – This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.” (Psalm 74:2). N. T. preaching and teaching emphasized the fact that Jesus Christ PURCHASED His People with HIS OWN BLOOD. Speaking to the Ephesian elders face to face, Paul said, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD.” (Acts 20:28).
Notice how the blessings of REDEMPTION, FORGIVENESS, GRACE, HOPE, PURIFICATION, BEING DECLARED GOD’S OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE, and SALVATION, are beautifully intertwined with our BEING PURCHASED BY THE BLOOD of CHRIST in the following passages: “In Him we have REDEMPTION through His BLOOD, the FORGIVENESS of sins, according to the RICHES of His GRACE.” (Eph 1:7). “Looking for the blessed HOPE and GLORIOUS APPEARING of our great GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, who GAVE HIMSELF for us, that He might REDEEM us from every lawless deed and PURIFY for Himself HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE, zealous for good works”. (Titus 2:13-14).
BORN OF HIS SPIRIT – During His own ministry, Christ made it clear that it was necessary for man to be BORN of His Spirit in order to be saved. “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is BORN of water and the SPIRIT, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is BORN of the flesh is flesh, and that which is BORN of the Spirit is spirit”. (John 3:5-6). John touched on this very subject at the beginning of his Gospel. “But as many as received Him (Christ), to them He gave the right to become CHILDREN OF GOD, to those who believe in His name; who were BORN, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, BUT OF GOD”. (John 1:12-13). Peter also wrote concerning the SPIRITUAL BIRTH OF THE CHRISTIAN: “Since you have PURIFIED your souls by OBEYING the TRUTH through the SPIRIT in sincere love of he brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed butiincorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever…Now this is the word which by the Gospel was preached to you”. (I Pet 1:22-25).
WASHED IN HIS BLOOD – The CLEANSING power of BLOOD was introduced in the Old Testament under the Law of Moses. As the Lord gave His chosen leader instructions on ATONEMENT for the SINS of the people, God stated: “For the life of the flesh is in the BLOOD, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make ATONEMENT for your souls; For it is the BLOOD that makes ATONEMENT for the soul”. (Lev 17:11). The Hebrew writer linked these O. T. animal sacrifices with the sacrifice and BLOOD of Jesus. “But when Christ appeared a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through HIS OWN BLOOD, He entered the holy place once for all, having OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION FOR US”. (Heb 9:11-12).
Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying that the unrighteous had no hope of inheriting eternal life. He also listed ten sins as examples of unrighteousness. Then he reminded them that many of the Christians there had been guilty of these same sins, BUT had OBTAINED FORGIVENESS. “BUT you were WASHED, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God”. (I Cor 6:9-11). In discussing the eternal light of God, John wrote these words to “his little children”: “But if we Walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the BLOOD of Jesus Christ HIS SON CLEANSES us from all sin”. (I JOHN 1:7)
Considering these exceedingly great and precious promises given to us by the Savior who died for us, Let us be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in our faith and labor of love for Him!
“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, Purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, Washed in His blood.
This is my story, This is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, This is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.”
No greater story will ever be written!
No greater song will ever be sung!
HALLELUJAH! WHAT A SAVIOR!