Clean Up
"There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the spirit of life in Christ has set me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2
It was not a dark and stormy night. It was a hot, sunny August day in West Texas. (I know. That is redundant.) I was one of several hundred incoming freshmen at ACU. After a day of meetings, lectures and registration, the powers that be decided that we needed some fun. The intramural fields had been transformed. At one end was a huge slip-and slide. In the middle was a "volleyball" game with a giant balloon, and at the other end was the mud Olympics. After making it to the front of the line, I waded into a puddle of slimy mud and climbed up a small hill made of mud. Sliding down the other side, I landed in a moat of sorts, filled with muddy water to swim through. It was at this point that I realized I had not taken out my contacts, and shut my eyes tight to keep out the water. I emerged at the end of the course caked with mud and realized that a solution was at hand. Friendly firemen sprayed us down with fire hoses. I had no idea the power behind a fire hose. After the first layer of dirt had been power washed, I squished and dripped my way back to the dorm. I got into the shower in the wonderful down the hall bathroom and turned on the water. Just as I wet my hair, my sister came in to check on me. She took one look and burst out laughing. I had rivulets of muddy water running all down my back. I feel sorry for whoever had to clean the showers that day.
Sin and its consequences can make a mess of our life. Sometimes it is a sin that we fall into or slide into, but sometimes we jump in headlong and splash around. However we get in it leaves its mark n us. We may try to get out of it ourselves, using will power or self help strategies. This may take off the first layer of dirt, changing our behavior. Our behavior may change for a while but the underlying thoughts and sin nature is still a part of us. The only way out is redemption through Jesus and his sacrifice. The Bible tells us that he paid the price for our sins and can take away the penalty, giving us a new heart. What a fantastic, amazing gift this is. Still, we are not automatically freed from the consequences of our sin. We may still have to go through legal dealings or deal with the damage done to the ones we love. Even so, He will walk with us and hold our hand. We also have the hope that this world is not our home and that God will restore all things.
The Bible tells us many places about the need for a savior and healing for our souls.
In Isaiah 1:18, we read, "Come let us Reason together says the Lord. Though your sins were as scarlet they will be white like snow." It is not something we can do ourselves or even understand. Paul explains in Ephesians 2:8-9 that "we are saved by grace, not by works so that no man can boast."
Romans 8:1-2 addresses tying to earn salvation by good works. " There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the spirit of life in Christ has set me free from the law of sin and death."
Our own efforts to get rid of sin will be ineffective and only lead to frustration and guilt. Let Jesus and his blood wash you whiter than snow.
