Are You Washed?

This evening finds me sitting inside in the cool air gazing out toward the pond expecting the Lord to show me something to write about. He does not fail me. I see a bluebird bathing in a small pool of water that has collected in a rut created by a hard rain washing a bit of the bank away. What I hear in that still, small voice is washing. The bird is washing himself, but He reminds me that I can’t wash myself…physically yes, but spiritually, not at all. But, in His mercy, grace, and love for me (and you) He has provided a way for me to be cleansed, by the blood of His son Jesus!

Let’s take a look at 1 Corinthians 6:11, which says,” And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. “ Now, just prior to this beginning in verse 9 Paul tells us what kind of people will not inherit the Kingdom of God. As verse 11 begins with and such were some of you, he is referring to the characteristics of those described in the prior verses. Notice that he uses, but, and the definition is to introduce something contrasting to what has already been mentioned. What a wonderful thought! We were like those already mentioned BUT! But we were washed! As Christians, we view the act of baptism a symbol of washing away sins, rising from the water a new creation. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 is where we find this scripture.

Are you a new creature in Christ? Have you had your sins washed away? If you haven’t taken the step to invite Christ into your heart, I encourage you to read the Gospel of John as he tells us who Christ is and of the love He has for us all.

Along with the washing, we are sanctified (set apart) and justified. Think of justified as “Just as if I never sinned!” What an awesome God we serve! As author Francis Chan puts it, “God loves us with a Crazy Love.”

(The Pond - 2016)