Clean slate

I remember a time when I needed this.

I guess sometimes part of the problem is that we don't realise that we ain't clean no more but quite far from it and the dirt isn't the kind that can just be shaken off or brushed off with a cloth or a new brush with fresh bristles. Yeah.. That even after soaking deep in omo(with power foam),the stain will remain. And Jik bleach just wont do it. The stain is too deep.

Forgiveness is so hard to offer and many times it is also hard to receive. It is hard to believe that He can give you a clean garment. Not because of anything you could have done to deserve it but He pays for it for you cause no amount of saving will get you there. He buys it for you and gives it to you. Clean. White. It makes no sense.

I am sure it made no sense to her either. Just a few minutes before she had been caught red handed with some guy that somehow no one was bothered about. Just a few minutes before, she had been dragged in the streets. Just a few minutes before, they were ready to stone her. And they had brought her to this Jesus for him to pass the verdict while they held the stones in heir hands. Wait.. what was that he said? He told those who had never sinned to be the first to cast a stone. She waited. Held her breath. Heard stones dropping but they were not at her, they fell as the crowd dispersed. Still too ashamed to lift her head, Jesus straightened her up and asked:

"Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

"No one, sir," she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” :-)

I know we justify our ills so much today. Claiming that there is no such thing as black and white at all...just different shades: blue, green, grey, red etc. 'What's so wrong with that?' we ask. The answer which is often more obvious when we are the offended or when we are observing other people's lives and not our own.

"..through this man Jesus, there is forgiveness of sins"

Acts 13: 38