Jim was shocked. "Dirty sin!" he exclaimed.
I am still chuckling to myself as I write this. Jim was appalled Travis' family would be playing a game of dirty sin!
Now let me be quick to add that I love Travis' family. They are a Godly bunch and I enjoy being with them and I want to assure anyone reading this that the game they play is called Dirty Santa because you get to exchange your gift for someone else's if you want.
But I kept thinking about what Jim said. Dirty sin.
And the question that follows: Is there any other kind?
One of my friends, Barb P. shared a statement on Facebook that I loved so much. It was this: Don't judge someone just because they sin different than you.
And that sentiment brings me to what I want to say a few words about in this blog today. All sin is dirty sin. If I go to church it doesn't mean my sin is less dirty than yours. If I smile at everyone and give money to charity, it doesn't mean my sins are cleaner sins although I think a lot of people look at it like that.
But there's a great thing about seeking salvation through Jesus. His blood actually takes all the dirty sin away. His blood works better at cleansing us from our sins than Tide works at getting the dirt out of clothes or Shout at removing the stains. The blood of Jesus works better at removing guilt and blame than a jury's pronouncement of "innocent."
Because like the song asks and answers: What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
So, if you're playing with dirty sin and you think it's just a game you're going to get by with, think again. That sin will forever be attached to your soul unless Jesus washes you clean. And wouldn't getting cleansed from your sin and getting to receive the gift of a new heart be a great way to start out the new year?
Ezekiel 36:26 says this: And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
And remember David? He committed some dirty sin too. I read that he wrote this Psalm after he sinned with Bathsheba and committed murder.
Read the 51st Psalm below and see his heartfelt prayer to God.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. 2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. 4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. 5 For I was born a sinner-- yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. 6 But you desire honesty from the womb teaching me wisdom even there. 7 Purify me from my sins,and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me-- now let me rejoice. 9 Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. . | 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. 14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. 15 Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. 16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. 18 Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit-- with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar. _____________________________________________________ Before the year ends, if there is unforgiven sin in your life, please turn to Jesus. Do like King David and admit your guilt to God and ask for His forgiveness. He would love to take care of all your dirty sin. And that's the view from this catbird seat... |