“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, ASV).

The email from my credit card company was frightening. “We noticed unusual activity on your account. Please review the transactions below and confirm that these purchases were made by you or an authorized user.” I recognized one transaction, but not the other three.

I quickly called the telephone number and spoke with a representative. “You have our wallet protection service,” she said. “You will not be charged for these purchases you did not make.” I breathed a huge sigh of relief as she told me a replacement card and account number would be overnighted to my address.

How quickly we panic when we perceive a threat to our worldly goods. However, we have a possession much more valuable than our money, our house, or our car. It is our soul, and it is so precious that Jesus gave His life to save it.

Through Christ we have what I like to think of as soul protection. It is a way to retrieve our souls from hell fire when we sin. God’s forgiveness, so free and abundant, is waiting for us when we confess our sins to God and repent. Unlike wallet protection, it is free to all who follow Christ.

Like getting a new credit card and account number, it is a new start, an opportunity to not have to pay for our sins. What gratitude we should feel as we consider what could have happened. We could have been lost for eternity. Who delivered us out of the body of this death? Thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord and His sacrifice for us and His protection for our soul.

Hymn: “Only In Thee”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is with humility that we come to You in thanksgiving for Your willingness to forgive us and cleanse us from our sin. Thank You. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Donna Wittlif, Denver, Colorado