How serious is the evil inside us? When the final self-help program has been concluded, and the last new leaf has been turned, what will it take to fully and finally deal with it?

The answer God gives is devastating, unexpected, and entirely fitting if we have ever peered into the trackless depths of our own hearts: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22)

If we do not see that, the barbarity of the cross will make us blush with embarrassment. But if we do, it will make us sink to our knees in wordless, awestruck worship.

I know of few hymns that express this truth with the unvarnished beauty of Robert Lowry’s “Nothing But The Blood”.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QVAPUOdpWI]

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
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.

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.