Cleansed 3/25/14

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

Confession.  I mostly have that one figured out.  Forgiveness.  Although there are times I have to remind myself, I truly am forgiven, for the most part, good with that also.  But cleansing.  Hadn't really thought it through.

God not only forgives, but "cleanses".  Washes clean.  Makes spotless.  Unsoiled.

It is hard for me to accept God's "cleansing" because my humaness continues to return my mind to sins of a decade ago, last week, the previous day, hour, or minute.  But John reminds us that if we have confessed, we are clean, pure, unsullied.  

Regardless of our actions--we are cleansed.  In spite of our past--we are cleansed.  Notwithstanding our multitude of sin--we are cleansed.  Not just forgiven, but CLEANSED!

Any guilt, blame, or guilt I carry around for past sin is there because I choose to allow it in my life.  Jesus' blood has washed all that away.

If I sin ten minutes from now, I am still pure in God's eyes.  If I make a colossal blunder next week--still cleansed.

Andrew Murray wrote, "Many seem to think that the blood is there, so that if we have sinned again, we can turn again to it to be cleansed. But this is not so. Just as a fountain flows always, and always purifies what is placed in it or under its stream, so it is with this Fountain, opened for sin and uncleanness. The eternal power of life of the Eternal Spirit works through the blood. Through Him the heart can abide always under the flow, and cleansing of the Blood.

In the Old Testament cleansing was necessary for each sin. In the New Testament cleansing depends on Him who ever lives to intercede. When faith sees and desires and lays hold of this fact, the heart can abide every moment under the protecting and cleansing tower of the blood."

Take some time right now to meditate on the freedom and relief that comes with 1 John 1:9.  Cleansed from ALL unrighteousness.


All thanks to Jesus Christ for his cleansing blood that was shed on the cross.