Often in these days of old age, with pains and lack of sleep, I may decide to have a stay-in-my-pyjamas day. Of course, that is just the day when someone will drop by. One day, my daughter happened to drop in on one of her quick visits. I had on my old favourite and comfortable housecoat. She looked at me and said, "Mom, you need to wash that. It is dirty." My reply was, "No, it is not dirty. That is a stain." That was the wrong thing to say! "Well, you should throw it out and get a new one." How could I part with my favourite housecoat? The moment passed, and I forgot about it. Well, until …

Christmas time came, and you guessed it, a brand new, fluffy housecoat as a gift was waiting for me, with the comment, "Now, you can throw out that old stained one." Confession: I still could not part with the old, comfortable housecoat, although the new one is lovely. The oldie sits in the back of the closet. I am thinking that I could embroider a nice flower around the stain, and give it new life, so to speak. Maybe, this would be a better way to deal with the housecoat issue.

I started thinking about stain removal.

Isaiah 1:18 – "Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (NKJV)

Can you imagine God throwing us out to get rid of the stains of sin on our souls? We surely need to get rid of those stains and not wear them forever like I did with the housecoat. But not once did He contemplate throwing us out — He found a better way to remove our sins and make us like new again.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)

His Son died on the cross so that our sin could be forgiven and washed whiter than snow. That is how much He loves us. All we need to do is come to Him with a repentant heart and accept the forgiveness that He offers us.

Today, can we come to Jesus, confess our sins, and ask Him to remove the stains from our souls? Think about it — but not for too long, for He is waiting for us to come to Him. Don't wait until you are burdened and heavy laden.

Matthew 11:28-29 – Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (NKJV)

Your sin-stained soul will be cleansed when all is forgiven.

Prayer: Dear Father God, may this message be meaningful to many in Your kingdom today. Touch us in such a way that we will throw out those sins, repent, and come to You for cleansing. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

June Heale <jinnybug@shaw.ca>
Parksville, British Columbia, Canada
Send your feedback to the author