There is a liquid cleaner sold in some stores called “Once and Done.” This cleanser claims it needs no rinsing. Just mop it once and you’re done. But the cleansing nature of the blood of Christ is something quite different. It is not something that is once and you’re done, or once saved always saved. It requires a life of self sacrifice and daily walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
Paul told Christians, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). Do we want to please God? If so, we will devote our minds and bodies to obeying Him. This will not happen with casual, random reading of the Bible. We need to dedicate time and effort to dig deeply in God’s Word and allow it to transform our minds.
Christians must be genuine. We cannot be religious on Sunday and be menacing on Monday. Jesus told the ruling Jews,“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matthew 23:25-28). Our Lord pronounced six more “Woe” ’s in the twenty-third chapter of Matthew. In short, Jesus knew that their lives of corruption did not match up with their knowledge of God’s word!
John wrote to Christians this warning to Christians, This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:5-9). When we sin (none of us are perfect), we have an amazing avenue—confessing our sins will bring forgiveness. But it is contingent on our continuing to walking to walk in the light.
Peter wrote, Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
James, the brother of our Lord, said we should seek wisdom from above, But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:17).
Are we pure, are we holy? Do we seek wisdom from above? Are we peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits? Have we cleansed our hearts of partiality and hypocrisy? I am searching my heart, are you?
The apostle John explained the beautiful fellowship we have with the Father which begins when we obey His command to be baptized, and then embark in the Christian walk. Obeying Christ’s command to believe, repent, confess Him as Lord, and be baptized for the remission of sins is not a “Once and Done” event. It is just the beginning of our journey with Jesus, and what a grand and glorious journey which will culminate with a mansion in heaven!!!
Today’s Verse: Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever… (1 Peter 1:22-24).
By Teresa Hampton
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