Gone!

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
(Psalms 51:2-3 KJV)

I experienced a Temporary Error – actually, more than one – with an internet application. One instruction was to clear the browsing data and I noticed the option above – obliterate from the beginning of time. Which reminded me of a couple of Bible verses (naturally!)

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.  (Psalms 103:10-12 KJV)

Isn’t that wonderful? He removed our transgressions from us! Actually, when Jesus did that, it got Him into a lot of trouble:

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. (Matthew 9:2-6 KJV)

He not only had the ability to forgive sin, He explained why he did it – that we may know He has the power to do so. A forgiven Christian is grateful for that forgiveness – but does do sinful things, even after that forgiveness. It is because we can and know we won’t be punished? Not hardly:

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (Romans 6:14-17 KJV)

Professing Christianity while continuing to commit known sins is hypocritical and can give the appearance of not having accepted Christ as savior. At the very least, it will negate a person’s testimony about Jesus as savior, giving doubt to His ability to bring changes to lives. The lack is ours, not His.

So, we end up back at fruit. Go ahead, look back several days – fruit pops us now and again, for good reason:

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:21-22 KJV)