Marvel Anew

Right now, Christians are being sanctified. But we are not totally sanctified because sin still invades our lives and disrupts our pursuit of holiness. It's a painful thought, but one we must be well aware of if we are to guard ourselves from sin. For now and again we can still smell the stink of its rottenness and see the traces of our old self rear its ugly head.

Have you ever wondered what the root of your sin is? In his excellent book, Not by Sight, Jon Bloom shared this insight:

The greatest enemy of our souls is the pathologically selfish pride at the core of our fallen natures. If we look deep enough, this is what we will find feeding the strong sinful cravings of our appetites.

And pride is born directly from idolatry. What is the root of our sin? Pride, and more directly, idolatry. Yet what is the first of the Ten Commandments?

You shall have no other gods before me.

It's not complicated. But it has massive implications. Why is it so hard for us to mentally grasp this? Or really, why is it so hard for us to practically grasp this? We sin a lot. Let's not sugar coat it. Our sins are vicious affronts against a holy God. Though the Holy Spirit is purifying us, our motives are not yet pure. Our actions still reek of selfishness and vanity. Our sins are many.

But there is news of joy that slays the pain our pride and idolatry cause. And His name is Jesus.

Romans 5:6-10:

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

We were still sinners, ridden with guilt and pride and that factory of idols going double speed in our hearts. And Christ died for us. Take a minute and simply marvel. He is sinless, spotless, totally pure, totally holy, without blemish or stain. And He shouldered the weight of the cross, the burden of our sin. Ours. Yours and mine. Every sin washed away by the blood of Jesus. Marvel. There is nothing that could be better, no news that could plant more joy. For each person who would repent of their sins and trust in Christ, He has "borne our griefs and carried our sorrows."

Our pride, our prejudice, our idolatry, our fear, frustration, anger, bitterness, depression, hostility, violence, malicious thoughts, careless words - they are bought by the blood of Jesus. Marvel anew at the wonder of the cross today.

"What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." - Doane and Lowry