All have fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) This is the first step to progress. We can’t know the depths of forgiveness until we know the depths of sin. The reality of forgiveness will come when we face the reality of sin. Stare down sin in all of its fulness so you can know forgiveness in all of its fullness. We are full of sin. We are wretched. This is where the truth starts. The truth doesn’t start with forgiveness. What’s the value of forgiveness if there is no price for sin? We have to stare it down. Search my heart, Lord!
In Psalm 51, the Psalmist is staring down his sin. “For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.
When we have stared sin down in its face, it’s time to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. What is “that”? It says take hold of “that” The “that” is the gospel. The “that” is that I am a wretched sinner that was lost, but because of his death on the cross that paid my penalty and the power of this resurrection, I am raised with Him a new creation, no longer held by the chains of my sin. I am free in Christ! This is the “that” for which I am to take hold of.
Our progress has only one source and activator and it’s Jesus. Apart from him we can do nothing. We, on our own, can’t produce and progress.
When we lay hold to the Truth, that’s when progress is happening. Psalm 51: 6 says, “Delight in the truth in the inward being.” The Truth is Jesus! If we are attached to the Root, we will bear fruit. If we aren’t attached to the Root, we will wither and dry up.
Lord I thank you that you have washed me clean and brought me to life!
stones from the quarry 