Are You Washed In the Blood of the Lamb?

Last night I was able to go English Country Dancing with some of our friends. I arrived home very sweaty & grimy. This morning, I was trying my hardest to scrub away the smell. But the harder I tried, the more futile it seemed. I washed & washed, but it seemed like I could NOT get clean.

Then God gave me an analogy (which I'm sure I've heard before)- No matter how hard we try to "achieve holiness & godliness" in & of ourselves, we cannot attain it. No matter how hard we try rid our lives of sin, we cannot remove the stain. No matter how many times we promise to not sin, we always manage to do it again.

This is why we desperately need a SAVIOR. He is God's gift to us- undeserved & unmerited Grace.  As Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

I am reminded of Ephesians 2:1-9: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions & sins... All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh & following its desires & thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved... For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

Our time on this earth is short. We do not know when the Lord will return. Are you assured of your salvation? What of your family & friends? I hope you sense the urgency of the situation. Dear friends, the time is NOW.

In Bible study recently, we have been talking about the necessity of doing things in His Power, Strength & motivation; for His glory. NOT in our own strength, not with fleshly motivation. "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain..." - Psalm 127:1

I will close with the precious words of this hymn:

"Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
 
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!"

And with this- "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9