Wiping!

When spills are made, wiping them is necessary, and the quicker the better. In time, spills can become more difficult to clean and may even stain. However, it is important to understand there is a big difference between "wiping at" and "wiping up". Simply "wiping at" a mess may merely spread it around. There have been times I have set something down on a counter or placed my hand there and experienced the stickiness of a spill that had been "wiped at", but not "wiped up". Sometimes it has even been possible to see the stroke marks of the wiping attempt, but the mess was not removed.

What would it be like if that were what God chose to do with our sins. Perhaps we can see it would be a picture of sins smeared together and life still a sticky mess. However, God chose to provide a much more thorough WIPING in relation to our sins.

When Peter spoke to a group in Solomon's portico, he urged. . .
"(19) Repent therefore, and turn again, THAT YOUR SINS MAY BE BLOTTED OUT, (20) that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, (21) whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago." ( Acts 3:19-21 ESV)

The Greek word translated "blotted out" is "exaleiphthenai" from "exaleipho", which literally means "to wipe out" ("ex" is "out" and "aleipho" is "to wipe"). This word is used metaphorically to remove, wipe away, wipe off, or obliterate. [source: W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words]

A life -- though smeared by sin -- can be THOROUGHLY CLEANSED in Christ. Knowing the blood of Jesus can COMPLETELY CLEANSE us of our sins ought to bring continual "times of refreshing" to our life. May we live truly repentant lives as we praise God for the fullness of the blessings He brings. Unlike mankind, God does not do His Works halfway, but all the way. We can depend on what He provides.

Have a great day KNOWING THE BLOOD THAT CLEANS BETTER THAN WATER!
Carl

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