1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Be Still: Lord, I give you this day and specifically this moment. Help me shift my attention away from the distractions of life and toward you and your presence. (Pause for a moment, close your eyes, and breathe) Come, lead me and guide me today. I invite you into the depths of my heart.

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (v.11)

Encounter: We can be sure of a few truths in life: if you drop a ball, it will fall to the ground; each morning, the sun will rise; fire is hot; and those who love the Lord will be washed and sanctified.

The last one hits a little differently, doesn’t it? Yet it’s one of the fundamental teachings of Jesus: that in Him we find forgiveness, grace, and freedom from the things of the past.

Today is Monday—a new day, a new week. I don’t know what regrets or sorrows you carry from yesterday, the week before, or perhaps even further back. But I do know that we all miss the mark from time to time; it’s called being human. However, the incredible news is that Jesus invites us to leave our mistakes behind. In a beautiful exchange, we trade our iniquities for grace, sanctification, and a fresh start.

I love this quote from Philip Yancey in What’s So Amazing About Grace -

'Grace does not depend on what we have done for God but rather on what God has done for us.'

The truth of grace and forgiveness is as foundational as the rising sun each morning. The question is: Are you willing to accept it?

Apply: Are there areas in your life that you need to bring before God—not only in repentance but so that you can fully accept his washing and cleansing? It can be hard to receive at times, but the only person we rob when we resist is ourselves.

Devote: Lord, I’m sorry for the things I’ve done wrong and the times I’ve neglected to act in love. Thank you for your incredible grace, made possible by the blood of Jesus and the power of your Spirit. I open my heart to receive your forgiveness today—please help me to embrace it fully.