Permanent Stains

I am sure at one time or another we have all been frustrated when something has been spilled on to a favourite item of clothing, a carpet, sofa or some other likeable item. Sometimes, despite our best efforts using the recommended, and often expensive, cleaning products, the stain simply will not be removed completely. It may fade, but still leave a permanent mark. Our darling dog one time decided to ‘deposit his luggage’ on a fairly new carpet. I spent a considerable amount of time cleaning the area but unfortunately it did leave a permanent stain, which spoiled the carpet.

Stained by sin is exactly our position before God until we ask for His forgiveness and come to Jesus acknowledging He died on the cross to take away all our sin. He is the only One who can do this for us. There is absolutely no way we can remove our own sin no matter how hard we try to clean ourselves up by ‘being religious’. Religion saves nobody.

I am reminded of the wonderful hymn written by Robert Lowry (who lived from 1826 - 1899)

The first verse of the hymn says: ‘What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh precious, is the flow, that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus’.

The truth of these words, and those in the subsequent verses, sums up the whole essence of the gospel message. When anyone comes to Jesus sincerely wanting to be cleansed from sin, God promises to completely remove the stain of that sin, enabling Him to see them as spotless and blameless in His sight.

Psalm 51:1-2, and verse 7 is a good biblical prayer to pray: ‘Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow’.

Psalm 103 is a wonderful psalm. I particularly like verses 11-12: ‘For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions (sins/stains) from us’.

Unlike having to spend time and money, or even hire a professional cleaning company to remove a stain from our damaged items, we can freely come to Jesus any time, no matter how great our sin may be, and rest assured we will be washed as white as snow, pure and clean, without a single spot or blemish to separate us from our loving heavenly Father.

Prayer: Loving heavenly Father, it’s so easy to read the words in the Bible yet not always as easy for in to ‘sink in’ and really take hold in my heart and mind. It is truly amazing to accept the truth that I can be completely clean, whole, pure and blameless in Your sight through faith and trust in Jesus, Your one and only Son, and perfect Lord and Saviour, for all who come to Him. Amen.