What Are the Two Absolutes in Scripture That Cannot Be Avoided?

Direct Answer

Yes - the two absolutes are: without the shedding of blood there is no remission, and without faith it is impossible to please God.

Les Feldick identifies these as the two absolutes/imperatives that cannot be avoided, compromised, or detoured around (Clips 2, 3, 5). He grounds the first in Hebrews 9:22 and the second in Hebrews 11:6, and he shows that Romans 3:25 brings them together through faith in His blood.

Key Scriptures

Hebrews 9:22 — This verse directly states the first absolute: without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Hebrews 11:6 — This verse directly states the second absolute: without faith it is impossible to please God.

Romans 3:25 — This verse presents Christ as a propitiation through faith in His blood, bringing the two absolutes together.

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible states the first absolute in Hebrews 9:22: "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." This is the foundation for the truth that remission of sins requires the shedding of blood. The second absolute is found in Hebrews 11:6: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Faith is presented as the necessary condition for pleasing God. Romans 3:25 brings the two together: "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" Romans 5:9 adds, "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Thus Scripture ties remission and salvation to the shed blood, received through faith.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About the Two Absolutes?

Les Feldick consistently calls these two statements the "two absolutes" or "two imperatives" of Scripture. He says they can never be compromised, detoured around, gone over or under; they must be faced head on (Clips 2, 3, 5). They apply to everyone regardless of religious background or denomination (Clip 1). Les teaches that the first absolute is "without the shedding of blood there is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22), and the second is "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). He explains that Christ's death had to involve the evident shedding of blood, which stoning would not have accomplished, and that by His blood Christ redeemed us out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation (Clips 1, 2). Through faith in His blood, we are justified and saved from wrath (Clip 7). Les emphasizes that the two absolutes are joined in Romans 3:25, where God sets forth Christ as a propitiation "through faith in His blood." He says you cannot separate them (Clip 6). He defines faith as taking God at His Word, and he points to Cain and Abel: Cain's problem was that he did not believe what God said (Clip 6). We are redeemed when we believe what God says about the shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Clip 5).

What Exactly Are the Two Absolutes?

Les Feldick states the two absolutes as: "without the shedding of blood there is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22) and "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). He calls them the two imperatives and says they apply to everyone regardless of religious background or denomination. He says they are absolutes that can never be compromised, detoured around, gone over or under, or avoided - they must be faced head on.

How Are the Two Absolutes Connected to the Blood of Christ?

Les teaches that Christ's death on the cross had to involve the evident shedding of blood; stoning would not have fulfilled what was required. By His blood Christ redeemed us out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. Scripture says we are justified by His blood and saved from wrath through Him. Those who believe what God says about His shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection are redeemed.

Why Does Romans 3:25 Tie Faith and Blood Together?

Romans 3:25 says God set forth Christ to be a propitiation "through faith in His blood." Les points out that this single phrase brings the two absolutes together: without the shedding of blood there is no remission, and without faith there is no salvation. He says you cannot separate them, and he defines faith as taking God at His Word. He illustrates this with Cain and Abel: Cain's problem was that he did not believe what God said.

Why Is Faith Essential to Please God?

Les emphasizes the second absolute from Hebrews 11:6: without faith it is impossible to please God. He defines faith as taking God at His Word and says unless we can do that, we cannot get first base with Him. He says it has always been by faith, as seen in the difference between Cain and Abel.

From the Teaching

What Is Propitiation? Romans 3:25-31 Finally Explained

Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.

The Two Imperatives

Les states the two imperatives - without faith it is impossible to please Him, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission - and says they apply to everyone. He also explains that the crucifixion had to make the shedding of blood evident, unlike stoning.

Absolutes That Cannot Be Avoided

Les calls the two statements in Hebrews "absolutes" that you can never compromise or detour around; you must face them head on. He also connects the shed blood to Christ's redemption of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation.

First Absolute: Without Shedding of Blood

Les quotes Hebrews 9:22 and says you cannot bypass the blood; this is the first absolute that must be faced directly.

Second Absolute: Without Faith

Les quotes Hebrews 11:6 for the second absolute and says both absolutes are brought together in Romans 3:25, where faith and blood appear together.

Mandatory Statements of Scripture

Les reminds that the two mandatory statements - shedding of blood and faith - cannot be shortcut or detoured; redemption comes when we believe God's word about the shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection.

Faith in His Blood

Les shows that Romans 3:25 brings faith and blood together in "propitiation through faith in His blood" and defines faith as taking God at His Word, using Cain as a negative example.

Justified by His Blood

Les says being justified by His blood is one of the absolutes; salvation is by faith in the finished work of the cross, not by anything we have done.

Bible Verses

Hebrews 9:22: And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

This verse states the first absolute: no remission without the shedding of blood.

Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

This verse states the second absolute: no pleasing God without faith.

Romans 3:25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

This verse joins faith and blood together through the concept of propitiation.

Romans 5:9: Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

This verse shows that justification comes through His blood, leading to salvation from wrath.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the two absolutes of Scripture?

The two absolutes are: without the shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22), and without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Les Feldick teaches that these are non-negotiable statements that must be faced head on.

Why can't these absolutes be avoided?

Les says you cannot detour around them, go over them, or go under them. They are absolutes of the program of God from day one, and you must face them directly.

How do faith and blood come together in Romans 3:25?

Romans 3:25 says God set forth Christ as a propitiation through faith in His blood. Les says this brings the two absolutes together, and they cannot be separated.

What does faith mean according to Les Feldick?

Les defines faith as taking God at His Word. Without faith it is impossible to please God, and he points to Cain as someone who did not believe what God said.

Related Questions

Also Answered in This Video

Source Video

Watch the Teaching: What Is Propitiation? Romans 3:25-31 Finally Explained