He cleanses us us from all unrighteousness!
“Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.” (Psalms 25:7 NIV)
Perspective
When I was a kid, I remember hearing my dad say, “Too soon old, too late smart!” I didn’t know what he meant way back then, but I think I do now. Time gives you lots of perspective!
The joke
Dad used to have a group of men over to our house to play poker and I would listen to them as I played under the kitchen table. I heard one of them tell a joke and they all burst into loud laughter. I didn’t understand the meaning of the joke but I remembered how to tell it. The next day at school, my 1st grade teacher had a show-and-tell time. She said we could share anything, even tell a funny story or a joke. I got up in front of the class and enthusiastically told the joke. As soon as I said the punchline the teacher screeched and rushed me to the sink and washed my mouth out with soap. The funny thing is that I didn’t have a clue what it was that I had said wrong! It was only years later, when I thought of the incident and remembered the joke, that I finally knew exactly why she had washed my mouth out.
I cringe when I remember mistakes of my youth!
In retrospect, I can’t believe I was so clueless! But I was! Of course, lots of water has since gone under the proverbial bridge and much learning and maturity has made me into a different person. Thank goodness for that!
I’m sure glad that God has promised to forgive and forget our past!
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NASB)
And, that’s a very comforting promise indeed!
Therefore…
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6 ESV)
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6 ESV)