May 19
May 19
Psalm 51:18–19
The High Cost of Cleansing
Cleansing sin is not cheap. Keep in mind what God has to do. Sin creates debt, defilement, and disease, which can be rooted out and forgiven only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Every one of us deserves eternal death, but He died in our place. Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve; grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve.
When we confess sin, Jesus represents us before God (1 John 2). He is our Advocate. When you are tempted to sin, remember that your sin put Jesus on the cross. And when you sin, you don’t simply sin against family and friends; you sin against the Savior, who died for you. He is standing in heaven, wounded, representing you before the throne. The high cost of cleansing sin is that Somebody had to die. This is a great motivation not to sin.
If you are saved, you are forgiven—your debt to sin is eliminated. Remember, God is not keeping a record of your sins, but He is keeping a record of your works, and sin hinders your ability to serve Him.
Never take for granted God’s act of cleansing sin. Forgiveness was purchased at a great price—the blood of Christ. The next time you are tempted to sin, remember that it cost Jesus His life to provide redemption for you.