HomeWord - July 14, 2009

Not Exchanged, But Renewed 
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! —Hebrews 9:13-14

I bought a new jacket only to have the buttons pop off and a hole formed in the side seam. Receipt in hand, I went in to exchange the jacket. The store offered to let me return it, but they no longer had my size to complete the exchange. Not wanting a different one, I walked out with my jacket, determined to fix it.

Repairing the seams and securing the buttons later that evening, I couldn’t help but think of Christ’s sacrifice for people. He could have exchanged us when we sinned. He could have thrown out the broken models and started over from scratch, creating obedient and sinless humans. Yet, instead of exchanging us or tossing us out, He loved us and died for us. He shed His blood so that we could be forgiven. He bore the sin of each person, so that we can have eternal life with Him and be made new. Through His death and resurrection, He provided the means to patch up our imperfections, renewing us, to make us pure and holy in His eyes.

God will not give up on you. He will not exchange you or make hasty, short-term repairs. He will re-create you. Don’t be misled to think you can do it on your own. Bring your brokenness to the foot of the cross, confess your inability to cleanse yourself, and ask the Lord to forgive you. Only He can make you new.

GOING DEEPER: 

Think about a time you have forgiven someone else. What was it about the situation that allowed you to forgive them?

How does confession play a vital role in your life when it comes to forgiveness?

FURTHER READING: 
Exodus 30:7-10; Hebrews 10:21-23; 1 John 1:9-10 

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