The cleaning never ends in our home. Likewise, the cleaning never ends in your home, right? There will always be messes to clean up, dust to wipe away, floors to mop, carpets to vacuum, dishes to wash, and disorder to organize. The work never ends.
I believe our kids are actually cleaner than most, and I would like to think that I am cleaner than the average man. Yet, it seems like Marsha is always cleaning. Of course, she is very clean and thorough (and I am grateful to God for her), but the cleaning never ends. Her efforts are never enough. She can dust the furniture on Tuesday, but new dust has appeared by Thursday. She can mop the floors on Thursday, but the kids leave their tracks on Friday.
Truly, house cleaning is merely a band-aid to cover the mess that is sure to return.
Similar, but with far greater consequences and devastation, are our attempts to clean up our lives. Our efforts will never suffice. Our sacrifices will never be enough. We can try and try (and even make things look good for a while), but the cursed stain of sin and resulting death have control over us – that is, unless they are taken away forever.
Praise God for His Son Jesus Christ – the Only One who can take away sin and death forever. He defeated sin and death when He died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead for our justification. Do you believe? Have you trusted in His life, death, and resurrection for your salvation, surrendering your life to Him? Only then can the cursed stain of sin and resulting death be removed from your record for eternity.
Yes, we are all still sinners and continually in need of God’s grace, help, mercy, and forgiveness, but when you turn from your sins and trust Jesus alone to save you, your status is changed. Your eternity is secure. Your adoption as a child of God is official. Your life is made new.
On Sunday morning, Lord willing, I will be preaching through Hebrews 10:1-18 on the incredibly important truth that “Jesus Died for Our Sins.” The message will hopefully be available HERE on Sunday afternoon. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is essential for our salvation, so we will explore this truth Sunday morning.
Do not trust in yourself for a clean heart and a clean life. Jesus alone makes us clean, and He alone enables us to endure to the end. Have you trusted in Him? Are you continually trusting in Him? If so, you will indeed work hard in the faith as if you needed to but not because you need to. Rather, because you have been made new. Praise be to God!
