The Blood Has Been Seen

The blood has sealed it—guilt no longer has a say. Tetelestai.

Devotional Source: Immeasurably More by Ray Stedman
Photo Credit: Unsplash

The Need to Confess

Ray Stedman points us today to the heart of the sin offering in Leviticus 4, where the priest applies the blood not just to the base of the altar, but to the very horns of the altar before the LORD—a visible, intimate place of worship and intercession. This act paints a picture not of vague forgiveness, but of assurance. The sinner was to see the blood. It was placed where God would see it too. It wasn’t hidden.

Stedman gently unveils that many believers still carry guilt—not because God hasn’t forgiven them, but because they haven’t seen the blood applied to the altar of their hearts. They live as if Jesus’ death covered only some sins, or some depth of guilt, but not all. And so they strive, suppress, or numb themselves to avoid the pangs of unresolved guilt. But God never intended His children to live beneath the burden of shame. He invites us to see, not just with our minds but with our hearts, that the blood has already been applied.

Freedom from guilt doesn’t come from forgetting our sin or trying harder to compensate. It comes from believing the truth that the blood has already touched the altar—that we are cleansed, accepted, and forgiven, once and for all, not only from acts of sin but from the very guilt of our nature. In Christ, there’s no more hiding, no more striving. There is only rest in His finished work.

Journal Entry – In the Voice of the Holy Spirit

Child of God, the blood has not been hidden. It has been lifted high upon the altar of your heart. It speaks even now before the Father, testifying not of your failure, but of My Son's finished work. There is no more veil between us. I dwell within you—not because you earned it, but because the altar has received the blood.

You are no longer tethered to the weight of unconfessed sin or the gnawing ache of guilt. I do not call you to relive shame but to recognize that guilt has been removed. As far as the east is from the west, so far has your sin been cast. You are no longer under condemnation. You are no longer in Adam—you are in Christ.

When your heart whispers that you’ve gone too far, look again at the altar. The blood remains. When your memories try to convict you, return to the truth: I am your witness that the payment has been made. Let not your conscience replay what I have already removed. There is now peace between us, and it is real.

I do not dwell in shame, and I do not commune through guilt. I commune through grace. I fellowship in truth. And the truth is this: your sin offering has been accepted. Your guilt has been silenced. I invite you to walk freely, boldly, joyfully—because the blood has been seen.

Scripture References: Leviticus 4:30, Romans 8:1, Hebrews 10:14, Psalm 103:12, Galatians 2:20, 1 John 1:7, Romans 5:1

Prayer

Father, thank You that the blood of Jesus wasn’t hidden in shadow but lifted up and seen—by You, by the angels, and now, by me. I no longer need to question whether I am truly forgiven. Your Word has told me, and Your Spirit bears witness in me, that my sin and guilt have been fully dealt with in Christ.

I trust in what You’ve already done, and I rest in it today. The altar isn’t empty—it holds the eternal testimony of Your mercy. I choose to live not in the echo of guilt, but in the song of grace. I see the blood, and I know I am Yours.

Amen.