Day 312

Ezekiel 16:1-63, Hebrews 9:1-15, Proverbs 27:5-14

The thing about sin is that it hangs around. A bit like a bad smell it lingers. Despite the fact that we are forgiven, temptation is never far away, trying to lure us back to sin. That is not the only way that it lingers around though, as humans we sometimes find it hard to feel forgiven, to know that we are cleansed by the blood of the lamb. Past sin sometimes stays around in the heart and we find it difficult to let go of it.

Paul in this letter compares the cleansing that Christ brings to the cleansing of the Old Testament. In the Old, blood was sprinkled over the person and they were cleansed in the eyes of the people. Paul describes it as an outward cleansing. They were spiritually clean but they often went straight back to the very same sin.

The cleansing that Christ offers goes much deeper. It goes straight to the heart, removing the sin that hangs around there. A bit like Cillit Bang, the blood of Christ has to be the most powerful cleaning products known to man, we just need to allow Him in to do His work. Sometimes we subconsciously hide thing so they can’t be cleaned up. It is part of the human condition.

If you struggle with past sin, try your best to open yourself to the cleansing power of Christ. Do not worry about the gap that will be left, for Christ leaves love in its place that we may be full of His Spirit.

Know that you are forgiven, right to your heart. Know that you are free in the name of Christ.