"Although you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your iniquity is before Me," declares the Lord GOD" (Jeremiah 2:22).  If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:6,7).

Brooksyne enjoys having her morning devotions sitting in a chair by our coal stove in our downstairs family room. She takes a fresh cup of coffee down with her and sets it on a table beside her. Awhile back she spilled an entire cup of coffee on the carpet, which made a pretty unsightly stain.  She tried blotting it up at the time and cleaning it with a carpet spray cleaner, but it still left a sizeable stain.

Last week I tried cleaning it with a carpet cleaner, going over and over the coffee-stained spot, but to no avail. Then I bought some heavy-duty stain remover that claims to remove all stains including coffee but we still can’t get it up.  It now has the appearance of partially frayed fiber from vigorous rubbing and a faded coffee stain – in other words a feeble attempt to rid the berber carpeting of a nasty spill.  So Brooksyne will just pull the table a little closer to cover the stain and try to hide it from view.

The fact is that we all have a stain problem and it is impossible to successfully cover it up. It may not be on our carpet, clothing, or upholstery but we all have it and it is visible to a holy, perfect God. Romans 3:23 says "For all have all sinned and come short of the glory of God." The eternal God declares, "The stain of your iniquity is before Me." The verse in Jeremiah describes man's attempts at washing it away, which is always inadequate and ineffective when dealing with sin's stain.

The precious blood of Christ is the divine stain remover. Last night in Bible study I taught from 1 John 1 and when I came to verse 7 I purposefully read, "The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from some sin."  I did this to ascertain the congregation's attention as well as to make a point. An older woman named Elsie vigorously shook her head and with a knowing smile corrected me, "cleanses us from all sin."

Amen and hallelujah! The divine stain remover, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. It is effective on the worst of stains, even those that seem altogether hopeless. Truly, "There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel's veins; and sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains!"

What can wash away our sin?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can wash us pure as snow?
Welcomed as the friends of God
Nothing but your blood
Nothing but your blood King Jesus


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer:  Father, I thank You for Jesus who shed His precious life-giving blood to atone for my sins.  I'm filled with inexpressible gratitude to know that there is no sin that I've committed that cannot be forgiven, because Your blood cleanses me from all sin.  Incredibly, when I sin and even attempt to erase the consequences of my sin, it is ever before You.  Though my rebellion and disobedience must cause You genuine pain and grief You do not look away.  Instead You draw me to Yourself as You extend Your hands of forgiveness; hands that bear the scars of selfless, sinless, sacrifice on my behalf. I'm so glad that my thanksgiving to You for such supreme sacrifice is not limited to my earthly existence because it's just not enough years to express my gratitude.  My expression of praise and thanksgiving to You will be my theme in glory and I will forever praise You for Your forgiveness of my sins.  Amen. 

---

"Nothing But The Blood" is a newer version of an old hymn that I have appreciated which incorporates the Scriptural teaching of the Lord's shed blood.  A portion of it is quoted above following the message. Audio mp3 Video

---