The Stain of Sin

1 John 1:7-10, Psalm 51:7

Message No. 0567 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

I cannot count how many times I have entered the washroom in a restaurant and found someone desperately trying to get rid of an oil stain on his cloth, sustained on the dining table. If you are an adult, you don’t want people to see that you, owing, perhaps, to a less-than-careful table manner, dropped oil on your clothes. Does this happen to everyone? Of course, even to me, a few times. Now, the whiter the color of your cloth, the more difficult it is to hide any stain on the cloth, and the more desperate someone would be to clean it.

The stain of sin is similar to the stain you sustain on your cloth. If you are not born again, the stain might not bother you, because you do not consider it to be anything. This is similar to sustaining an oil stain on a multi-colored garment. Since there are already several different colors on the cloth, a stain might not be so visible – it just feels at home in the midst of other colors. If you are born again, the stain is more visible – this is similar to someone wearing a white cloth and sustaining an oil stain. Even those who wear multi-colored clothes would see yours immediately.

The problem with some stains is that they do not go away easily, and some do not go away completely, no matter how you try. You may get your cloth cleaned to the point you are comfortable wearing it, though the stain is not completely gone. At that stage, only you could see the stain because you know it is there; other people may never see it, but you may still find yourself occasionally trying to hide it. Sin acts in the same manner. Though you have confessed, and God has forgiven you, it still occasionally feels like you are guilty and not free. This is the bondage that the devil wishes to put you into, permanently.

If you are still suffering under the weight of sins that have been forgiven and forgotten by God, you need to know that it’s time to move on, because in 1 John 1:7, the Bible says:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

You will never find a stronger soap than the Blood of Jesus. God assures us of the power of the Blood to clean, in Isaiah 1:18:

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

There is no way that the Blood of Jesus would clean your sin and leave any trace behind. In your own mind, you could still remember what you did, and you might still occasionally feel bad about those things. That’s okay. However, if you still dwell in doubts as to whether or not God has forgiven you, then you are living in bondage and you need to quit. You need to tell the devil that he is a big liar, because that’s who he is. In 1 John 1:9, the Bible says:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Bible does not say that God will cleanse us from some unrighteousness, nor does it say that God would only partly cleanse us. When you are forgiven by God, you are forgiven. Every child of God must quit entertaining past sins and thinking that they are still in trouble with God. This is an insult to God and a proof of faithlessness. By the way, do you know that whatever you are doing that is not backed up by faith is sin? Romans 14:23.

Don’t get yourself into God’s trouble by not trusting Him when He assures you that your sins are cleansed. If you owe someone some money and the person calls you and says you’re forgiven and no longer owe the debt, would you go on doubting this? Don’t let the remnants of sin’s stains in your mind cost you eternity. What you should never do is go back to your old sins, but for the ones that have already been forgiven, your attitude should be celebration of freedom. You are free, and not even the devil can change that. As you step out this week, may that feeling of freedom shed joy into your heart and may you live the rest of your life as sanctified children of the Most High God, in Jesus’ name. Amen. Have a blessed week!

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 PLEASE ACT NOW:
 If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
 Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
 If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!