1 John 1:8-9 – If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

John 14:6 – Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (NIV)

My four-year-old granddaughter was at my house, eating her breakfast, when she decided that she didn't want the regular spoon that she was using. She wanted her Disney "Frozen" spoon with Princess Elsa on it. So, she reached under the counter, opened the cutlery drawer, and withdrew that spoon. I also noticed, however, that she placed her dirty spoon back into the cutlery drawer. I asked her if, in fact, she had put the used spoon in the drawer, and she answered, "Yes." I asked her, "Please open the drawer and get the dirty spoon out so that it can be washed." She quickly complied. Pulling out the used utensil, she took a good look at it, then, proceeding to give it a good licking, announced, "All clean," and popped it back into the drawer. What's a grammy to do, except laugh uproariously, and then, remove the dirty spoon and thrust it in the soapy dish water for a thorough cleansing?

Unfortunately, within our world, there are many people who feel that they are capable of wiping out their own wrongdoings — those things in life that are called sin — by covering them up by their good deeds. They reason that if their good deeds outweigh their bad ones, then, they will be acceptable to God and gain entrance into His presence when life is finished.

However, by licking her dirty spoon clean, my granddaughter did not make it clean. It looked clean, but you and I know that it wasn't. It needed to be properly washed before that could happen.

Likewise, the apostle John and Jesus have declared the same thing in regard to our sin. In God's sight, there is only one way for us to be holy or to be cleansed of our sin, our wrongdoings, and that is through the blood of Christ, Who is the way, the truth, and the life. For no matter how many good things that we have done in our lives, no one comes to the Father except through Him and the blood that He shed, which purifies us from every sin.

So, where does each of us stand today? Are we continually seeking to lick ourselves clean before God by hoping that our good deeds will outweigh our bad — or have we, by faith, accepted the washing of the blood of Jesus, which was shed for all of mankind, past, present, and future, that all who believe may not die but have eternal life in Him?

That's something to think about.

Prayer: Father God, thank You that in Christ, each and every person, no matter who they are or what they have or have not done, can be cleansed and made holy by the washing of His blood and therefore know without a doubt that they are welcomed into Your presence now and forevermore. Today, may many, who are still trying to lick away their own wrongdoings through good works, realize the error of their way and humbly turn to You, Your forgiveness, love, and salvation. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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