Who Knew?

But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].  1 John 1:7  AMPC

Yesterday I found out that February comes from “februa” which means to cleanse. And in Ancient Rome it was a full month of cleansing and atonement, sacrificing to their many gods. Maybe that’s why February was also celebrated at the end of the 10 month year rather than the beginning. Who knew? Well, maybe you did, but I digress from my point.

It made me think that if they spent the entire month cleansing and atonening to gods that didn’t exist; perhaps we should spend the month focusing on the only True God. Who sent His Son Jesus, to not only walk this earth with us, but sacrificed His life for us, so that we could be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life. When we accept Him and His gift of forgiveness, we are then cleansed from all our sins, past, present and future as we are reminded by today’s verse. Which, remembering we are forgiven helps us remain in close fellowship with Him and with others. And helps us walk with Him and learn His ways to live the abundant life He came to give us.

1 John 1:9 reminds us that after we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, confessing our sins aren’t anymore for cleansing, because that is ongoing. But rather it is to remind us and the devil, who is our accuser, that our sins have been washed away, to be remembered no more (Hebrews 8:12). And that we have been cleansed from all unrighteousness, because we are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21) now and foevermore!

Now I don’t know about you, but now that’s something to celebrate for an entire month. So I encourage you that during the next 28 days to thank God for Jesus making Himself our sacrifice so our sins are forgiven, past, present and future. And when we do sin, that we are quick to confess it and thank Him for His forgiveness. This will not only remind us we are now His righteousness, but will stop the enemy from ever using it to make us feel guilty or condemned. For there is no condemnation nor guilt for those who are in Christ Jesus!