But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.”
Acts 10:15 (NLT)
Father, as I begin this week, my soul is conscious of the weight of the sin I carry, how I falter as I navigate through this thing called life. As I read Your Word and reflect upon Who You are and Your righteous standard, I cannot help but agree with Isaiah that all of the good that I do is but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Indeed, I am undone (Isaiah 6:5)! LORD, I am unworthy.
Yet, in the midst of all of my internal brokenness, my soul find so much comfort this day in knowing that what You have declared clean no one can call unclean. Though I have so often in the past applied this strictly in the context of bringing those who were excluded and the eating of “unclean” foods, reflecting upon the words of my Savior reminds me that it more so applies to my sinfulness. Time and time again, He forgave the sins of folks while He walked amongst us. Whether it was the paralytic man in Luke 5 or the woman with the alabaster box in Luke 7, He declared them clean, forgiven, with an understanding that it was so. What’s more, Your Word declares that if I confess my sins that You will not only forgive me, but cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Hallelujah!
I confess that I carry around the guilt and shame from my sinfulness. When I sin I tend to wear it on my head like a scarlet letter, brooding and sulking about my unworthiness. Though I am indeed unworthy You have, through Christ Jesus, redeemed me. You have purged me and declared me clean (Psalm 51:7)!
So today I stand, my lifted up by You (Psalm 3:3), embracing the holiness and righteousness that is mine through Christ Jesus, my Lord (Romans 3:21-22)! I am crucified in Him and HE lives within me (Galatians 2:20)! Therefore, LORD, grant me a mind that refuses to call unclean that which You have declared clean in Christ Jesus! Enable me today to walk in the newness of life that is mine in my Savior, and to glorify You in all I say and do in Jesus’ Name!