The Only Way

... [the law] can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. Otherwise, wouldn't they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, once purified, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. - Hebrews 10:1-4

I once overheard a children's Sunday School teacher say that the sins of the Israelites were forgiven through the exercise of the Old Testament sacrificial system. A sixth grader in the class respectfully contended that this was not true, and he was correct. He "stuck by his guns," did not give in, and later on (privately) I was able to affirm the student and help the well-meaning teacher understand biblical truth.

There has never been nor will there ever be any path to complete forgiveness apart from the shed blood of Jesus Christ. For if the first system had been enough, why would Jesus have made the ultimate sacrifice? If the blood of an animal could do it, why would the blood of the Savior be required?

The Cross of Christ is not a just a better way, it is the only way.

The law works fear and wrath; grace works hope and mercy. - Martin Luther