Cleansed and Covered

In one of my recent devotions the focus was on Luke 7:50 when Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." Her many sins had been forgiven and she could now go forward in the peace of Jesus. I began to think of sins that have haunted me and even to ask that ones I may be living in without realizing it, may be revealed. My list grew from admitting that I am judgemental at times to idolatry (because let's face it when things take more priority in my life than Jesus, then that's what it is). But then as I sat and listened, I realized that I am or have been guilty of so much more than meets the eye... more than I ever realized (or maybe just didn't want to admit). Some sins that I have been guilty of I still feel guilt over is even sin because it is saying that I don't believe that God is capable of setting me free. Ouch. And other sins that I would never even think of committing, I realized I actually have because of what was in my heart at that time. It hurts, but that's what the Bible says.
So I'm gonna be quite frank here... I have been guilty of lying, stealing, gossip, idolatry, drunkenness, deception, witchcraft, lust, fornication?!, murder?!, adultery?!, cheating, slander, bearing false witness, coveting... and probably more. Ouch. And I am serious when I say that. It really hurt to write those things down. As I looked at my list and realized all the sin that I had/have been stained by, I felt ashamed and saddened. But then suddenly the reality of what Jesus did for me on the cross overwhelmed me. It gave me new reason to sit up and say (as the song goes) "Hallelujah all my stains are washed away!" Stains don't easily come out of a garment, but Jesus, my amazing Saviour came and washed away my sins!!! Why would he do that? So that I could be set free and so that I could go in peace. Wow. I am amazed at His love for me.

...in my devotional book I actually that same day drew a cross over the top of those words that represented my sin and from the cross arrows that went down and pierced each one... so now when I thumb through this book and this page catches my eye, I stop and look and am reminded of how much His great grace and mercy and love covers! Hallelujah!
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