MEMORISE:
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1Timothy 1:15
READ: 1 John 1:7-10
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
MESSAGE
Some people make defeatist statements about sin in order to justify their sinful lifestyle. Such people admit that everyone born of a woman is a sinner, but they hypocritically ignore the fact that has made provision available to turn every sinner into a saint by the power of atonement in the Blood of Jesus. One of the foremost apostles of Jesus Christ, Paul, in today’s memory verse affirms that a sinner can become a saint if he or she is willing to be transformed. The unwillingness of a sinner to be transformed into a saint through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ is what condemns him or her to eternal damnation. John 3:18-19 says:
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
God is not interested in condemning anyone, and this is why He says to all in Isaiah 1:18-19:
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:”
Jesus is still calling all those who labor and are heavy laden under the yoke of sin to come to him for rest (Matthew 11:28). When anyone comes to Jesus with a repentant heart and cry for mercy, He will abundantly pardon their sins (Isaiah 55:7). It is therefore important for people to take responsibility for their sins in order to receive pardon. Many people shift the blame for their sinful lifestyle to everything but themselves. Instead of acknowledging and confessing their sins and deciding to abandon the sinful act that have held them bound or so long, they keep making excuses. For example, some thieves and harlots will blame their sinful lifestyle on the economic recession in their country. If you have been wallowing in sin and passing the blame, I invite you today to come to Jesus Christ for pardon and experience a pleasant turnaround. In prayer, acknowledge and confess all your sins, asking Jesus to cleanse you with His Blood and to receive you into His family. Also, promise Him never to go back to your old lifestyle again. If you do this, Christ will cleanse you and transform you into a new creature in him as He promised in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
ACTION POINT:
Share the good news in today’s devotional with those in your neighborhood and with those within your sphere of influence on social media.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ephesians 1-3 Jeremiah 5:1-17
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 6: HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS FOR THE CLEANSING POWER?
1. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Refrain
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
2. Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Refrain
3. When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white!
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for His presence bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Refrain
4. Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb.
Refrain
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