In Christ - I am washed clean from my sins

I am washed clean from my sins...

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

Ezekiel 36:25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 

Joni and Friends Daily Devotion – February 16, 2009

“Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin (KJV).  Psalm 51:2

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Because I cannot reach for a Bible and flip open the pages with my hands, I make it a point to memorize scripture. It's the only way I can have the Word of God at my fingertips! For me, memorizing portions of the Bible is very practical.  I use the King James Version of the Bible when I commit God's Word to memory. The words are uncommon - a little like poetry - and my mind seems to retain it easier.

“When I was memorizing Psalm 51, I stopped short at the second verse.  It says, "Wash me throughly from mine iniquity."  At first I thought it was a printing error, but after a little research, I learned it was the Elizabethan-English-way of saying "through and through." You could paraphrase it, "Wash me through and through from my iniquity."  It's not many times I prefer English from the 16th century, but this time I did. I don't want God to merely scrub me good on the outside - it's not a matter of cleansing me from my sin - but washing me clean, clear through.

“The word "throughly" doesn't exist anymore. When I wrote it on my computer, my automatic spell check kept trying to change it to thoroughly. But I'm with Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth, and King James on this one.  I don't want God to do a surface job on my character; I want him to get rid of every vestige of deep-down hidden sins.

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“First Thessalonians 5:23-24 says (in modern English), "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." From what hidden or secret sins can you ask God to wash you through and through today?

“Lord, I confess______________________. Thank you for forgiving me and completely cleansing me from all unrighteousness. Safeguard my heart and mind and keep me pure.”

This reminds me of a recent situation I was faced with – whether or not to have old carpets cleaned, or have them removed and new carpet installed. The stains were deep and dark – and I had more than one person tell me that if the carpets were cleaned that the deep, ground in stain would resurface – in a few months the carpet would look just as bad as it did before I had them cleaned.  As expensive as it was, I opted to have the old carpets removed, and replaced the padding and carpet.  Now I don’t have to worry about an old stain coming up and ruining my new carpet!  How many times in my own life have I been willing to do the “cheap” fix on the filth in my heart – I’d submit to the surface cleaning – but what I really needed was a NEW spirit and a new self – and when I finally understood that and came to God on His terms, that’s exactly what I got – a clean slate – a brand new heart and soul!  There are times when I think back to the stains of sin in my life – not with guilt and regret - but with gratitude that He’s made me “white as snow!”  If you know there’s something you need to take to the Father, I encourage you to do so quickly – let Him wash you through and through!  Sharon