I Corinthians 5:7
“Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.”
This passage has a similar topic to yesterday’s. The rich were abusing the common folk in Nehemiah’s time. Scripture makes it personal, so we should say with David the prayer of Psalm 139:23,24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.” Do we have old leaven in us? Maybe. We don’t need to be overly suspicious or miserable. Just ask, “Lord, is there any wicked way in me? If so, show me.”
He’s saying we are already forgiven. Jesus, the Passover Lamb has been sacrificed. Even though He has already forgiven us, we need to go through the process of asking for forgiveness. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Peter learned this lesson at the Last Supper. Jesus was washing the disciples feet. Peter objected. John 13:8-10, ‘”Never shall You wash my feet.” Peter told Him. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” “Then Lord”, Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”‘
As a young believer I went through bouts of guilt. I didn’t understand grace. As a good father wouldn’t want his erring child to be weighed down with guilt, so He wants us to repent, receive His forgiveness and go on our ways. I thought there was sin when there wasn’t. I didn’t understand what He wanted from me. I also didn’t understand How He would communicate His will to me. I thought He wanted me to do far more than He did. It’s more like we go through our day and He will bring up circumstances. We are to respond biblically.
Jesus wants us to walk with Him in forgiveness and joy. Acts 3:8 is our example, “He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.” We are to never forget our salvation.
When David repented to Nathan he wrote Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.” Our daily lives should be filled with His joy. We’ve been saved, adopted, brought into His family, given a new life, are blessed with good friends and He sets our children on the right way.
Thank You, Lord that You’ve forgiven us. Tell us if we have sinned or are going on a bad path. Thank You for desiring good things for us. Thank You that You don’t crush us for our wrongs, but forgive and reconcile us.