Forgiven and Cleansed

It is Holy Week.  As we making our way to Gethsemane, Golgotha, and the Garden with the Empty Tomb, a phrase keeps repeating in my mind, "forgiven and cleansed".  Friday we will remember what Jesus has done for us - the pain, abandonment, and physical torture He suffered, how He laid down His life.  Sunday, we will celebrate the power of life over death and the victory over the grave.  As we do this, let us take to heart what it means for us.

We are forgiven - our sins no longer are held against us.  There is nothing separating us from God. We have peace with God.
And cleansed - not only is there no punishment for our sins, but the stain, scum, and stench of them are removed as well.  We have been washed and made pure.

Sound too good to be true?  Hear it from God's Word:

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us form a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."  Hebrews 10:19-22 (NIV)

Have a blessed Holy Week.
Tracy

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