Sin separates us from God.
The Old Testament gives guidelines and rules that some find unimportant, but they are representative.
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law:
for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Romans 7:7
Whether intentional or unintentional, sin separates us from God.
Jesus is our mediator and He has made a way to reconcile us to God.
When David cried unto the Lord, Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me.
He knew there were things inside of him that only God could see.
His heart was in God’s hands and the cleansing was happening as he became aware of his sin.
Remember when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet?
Peter saith unto Him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.
Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me. John 13:8
God’s cleansing has to happen.
Jesus was saying, without the cleansing process, we cannot be one.
‘If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me.’
Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person,
and upholding all things by the word of His power,
when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:3
The ultimate cleansing by God is by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus the Christ, God’s son,
who came in the flesh to save the world from our sins which separates us from God.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Being saved is a process. As we walk through this world on our journey to the other side.
We will have many distractions and deceptions which will entice us to walk in our own way and not with God.
Keeping in very close connection with Jesus will help us to remain faithfully carrying the cross
we are given every single day and in every single instance.
If we put our cross down for a few moments or days or weeks or years as some have done by their own admission,
God is still there to meet them. The offer of His hand to help them up never goes away.
To give them the strength they need if they choose again to follow Him.
I have a childhood friend who accepted the Lord when he was young.
He still remembers saying the sinners prayer.
He does not walk with the Lord.
He has not learned how important a personal relationship with Jesus is.
He does not read the bible. He is not interested in learning more about Him.
He is ashamed of Jesus at times.
Be reminded that Jesus is not an arrival. You are not finished with your efforts once you accept Him.
It is then when you are to take your cross and follow Him and you will walk through many toils and snares
and He will be there to help you along the way.
And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27
Find out what that means for you. Go before the throne of God.
Ask Jesus to show you what that means for you and your life. He will.
He wants us all to be that close. He will not disappoint.