Sprinkled and Washed

Lately, I have been reflecting on a few different verses and I  was returned to the following verses for today - Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV:

[19] “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, [25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

What a great encouraging passage!  The author reminds us of these great truths, and then encourages us to draw near to God and to press into the Body of Christ, encouraging our love and good deeds towards one another!

Personally, I do feel encouragement to engage in our fellowship group, in our church and into the friendships and family relations we have been graced with in our lives.  However, it is all on the foundation of our faith that this is most filled with life and meaning.  We are invited into eternal life, a life of knowing God, through the sacrifice of Jesus, making a way for us to be restored to relationship!  

I am fully aware of the cleansing grace the Lord releases to us, and how His sacrifice has been applied to our lives, and is available to empower and wash us clean!  Of late, I have definitely seen this grace in action, this empowerment to cleanse my life, my mind, my thoughts, my actions.  The language of verse 22 above is one of something (cleansing and washing) that has already been done, and does not need to be done again!

This is truly one of the mysteries of God’s grace that His actions have perfectly cleansed us, already, and that when confessed and repented of, that past payment and cleansing has already been applied. Our whole lives have essentially been painted with grace, mercy, compassion and love from the point of Christ’s Glorious payment forward through the end of our lives!  There is a fount of living cleansing water that erupted at the Cross that is available for the washing of  everything in the future, and in the past.  

Our lives should be filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this clear gift,this unearned gifting and cleansing!  What a miraculous opportunity we have to live our lives in union with God, who has made the perfect way for us to step into a relationship with Him!  We do have the full assurance of our faith, that not only is this possible, it is true!

Thank You Lord for Your amazing, life-giving, cleansing, and loving gift!

Amen and Amen!