I have been washing the dishes lately. Don’t let dirty dishes pile up, they get smelly and difficult to clean. I put them in the sink, run semi-hot water, use a little soap, a little scrubber and then rinse with hot water. This works well most of the time. But if dirtier, I soak them, and it takes more effort and soap to get them clean. But the hardest is a dirty pot or pan and only by a lot of soaking, a lot of scrubbing and a special heavy-duty soap gets them clean.
Dealing with those dishes reminds me of something in the Bible.
The biggest problem we face with or in our relationship to God is our sins John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.
We all have them.
Romans 3:23 ... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...
1 John 1:8 I If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
The result, if not dealt with properly, is forever separation from God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sin makes us slaves and entangles us to it.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
Hebrews 12:1... let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,...
But God loves us, and He provided a special way and the only way our sins can and could be forgiven.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
It was by and through the sinless life, sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross and His miraculous resurrection that our sins can be forgiven.
John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (See also Matthew 26:28, Luke 1:77, Romans 4:7, and Acts 2:38).
Only Jesus has power and authority to forgive sins Matthew 9:6 “ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”
Go to Him and call upon Him.
See you in Church next Sunday.