August 9, 2022 -- Ephesians 2:13 -- Every sin thrown down by the power of Jesus

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:13 ESV

“Sin is a multi-dimensional reality. The Bible therefore has a wide variety of words to describe it. It follows that the work of salvation needs to be multi-dimensional in character. That is why the New Testament also describes the work of Christ in several different ways.”
Let’s Study Ephesians. Sinclair Ferguson. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST. reprinted 2015, p 59

Sin can be described as “missing the mark”. It is also moral evil. It is also violating God’s religious and moral law. It is lawlessness. It is malicious sinfulness. The Bible also describes some sins as those which are committed against other people; or against our own physical bodies. Evil thoughts and boastful hearts—all this too falls under the category of sin. What a wide and obscene capacity humans have for sinful actions, thoughts, deeds and good deeds left undone. Sins are great, but the salvation of Jesus Christ is greater still, wider, and far more powerful.

The passage today is a reminder of the Old Testament sacrifices. The guilty brought a lamb without defect to the priest. The guilty man confessed his sins and the lamb was slain. The lamb bore the guilt, the blood of the lamb pointed to the work of Jesus, and the man received the forgiveness. This was a symbol. An illustration of what would happen when Jesus died on the cross. He is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. He is the final, complete, perfect sacrifice so no other blood needs to be spilled.

What sin haunts you? That persistent, relationship-breaking sin. That lingering memory of terrible things you have done. Whatever sin or wrong it is. Bring your broken-hearted, conscience-seared self to Jesus. Confess it. Believe that your sin is not greater, more complicated, different than the sins of any other. This is sinful pride which creeps in and tries to infect even your confession with the taint of wickedness. Do not believe it. In the quiet of your prayer time, ask the Spirit to show you the sins you are not aware of, the sins that block your prayer times and your full-joy in your walk with God.

The work of Jesus Christ throws down every sin. His work at the cross disarms Satan, the accuser, so that no accusation of wrong or sin or wickedness can stand against you. When you have confess your sin, be assured of these things: Christ has won the victory. Rejoice and praise Him. Leave the places or things that tempt you sin. Pray, daily, for the strength of the Spirit to renew in you the mind of Christ and the healing grace of God the Father.

It almost feels too embarrassing to be in prayer and admit my sin. Father in heaven, though there is no depth of darkness or shield I can put up to keep You from seeing and knowing my depravity, I fool myself into thinking You don't already know it. The fact is You have already seen to the bottom of of my wickedness. Your Word and Spirit brilliantly light up the dark corners of my heart and conscience so that relief can be found only in confession before Jesus' throne of grace. Thank You, Merciful Father, for the extravagant gift of Jesus Christ and His soul, mind, body, and creation-cleansing work. Forgive my reluctance to confess. Forgive my half-hearted confession and obsessive questions of whether or not the blood is enough. You have reconciled believers to Yourself by the blood of Jesus Christ, bringing them to full salvation. What is true about Jesus' reconciling work is true for me! Great are You Triune God. Beautiful. Truly, Jesus, You are the Desire of all nations, the Treasure of heaven and the Radiance of the Father's Glory. 

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