1 Peter 3:18a – For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (NIV)

Romans 4:7 – Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. (NIV)

I like my set of little living-room tables. They are finished in a warm brown walnut. The middle-sized one sits under the largest, and the wee one under both. I bought them tagged as is at the furniture store. The wee table had a slight scrape where it had rubbed under the middle-sized one. Still I wanted them, though imperfect.

But when they were delivered, I was happily surprised to see that the store had touched-up the scrape — covered it — without charge!

We people get scrapes too — from jostling unrestrained in our spaces, from friction with our neighbours, from not trusting God as we should.

But, although we may have many scrapes, God loves us just as we are and wants us. Moreover, He receives us pure and holy, for His Son, Jesus, has completely covered our sins with His own blood — freely. We are made to be just as if we had never sinned.

God delights in receiving us as Jesus is — perfect.

We are all welcomed to "the city of the living God … to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven … to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect" (Hebrews 12:22b,23 NIV). Shall we accept the invitation to live with Him and His people today and forever?

"There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:22b-24 NIV). Let us praise and thank Him.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for wanting us though we have sinned. Thank You for giving Your Son Jesus to cover our sins with His own blood, making us perfect with Himself. O Lord Jesus, with the power of Your Holy Spirit, cause us to live closer and closer to the position of perfection that You grant us in Yourself. For Your sake, we pray. Amen.

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!
       – Charlotte Elliot

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