Grace Removes Our Sin

”But He [Jesus], having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God.”      —Hebrews 10:12

There is a story and quote attributed to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Homes. Supposedly, Doyle anonymously sent the message, “All is discovered! Flee at once!” to the most influential men in the U. K. The result, it is said, was that within 24 hours, none of those men could be found. 

Similar stories are told about Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, and others. Actual or not, they illustrate the truth that we all have secrets and sins hidden in our closets that we fear might be revealed. Many try to keep locked away the truth of about an alcoholic parent or child, a past affair, a theft or arrest from our youth, stories of abuse, and/or personal weaknesses.

I still remember some of my childhood weaknesses and insecurities that prevented me from having friends sleep over or spending a night at someone else’s house. Those childhood fears often continue into adulthood as we worry that our true, vulnerable self will be found out.

Sadly, many Christians continue to live in fear that their past sins will be revealed to embarrass them or destroy their lives. They live as though Jesus’ death and resurrection were for nothing, as though the blood of Jesus is powerless to remove sin. There is great power in Jesus’ blood! By God’s grace, our sins are not only covered but removed.

When Jesus died on the Cross, He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The phrase “it is finished” in the language of New Testament Greek has been discovered in old business documents to declare a bill or account as “paid in full.” Jesus died once and for all for our sins. “But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12). Our sins are forgiven, covered, and removed.

My friends, each of us has a past. Each of us has weaknesses and imperfections, but God, who knows us best, also loves us the most. Your sins and past mistakes, failures, and weaknesses have been removed by Jesus Christ. Psalm 103:11-12 encourages us, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

How far have your sins and your past been removed from you? How much does Jesus love you? Think of Jesus stretching His arms out on the Cross, and hear Him saying unto you, “This far. This much.” Jesus loved you from the Cross, and He loves you now. Receive His forgiveness and cleansing. You are forgiven.