light, redemption and purity

In my darkness, I ask for light; in my sins, redemption; impure, I ask for purity.

Sin creates utter darkness. Jesus is the light. He can lighten your darkness. Here’s how…

When we sinned, we sold ourselves to the devil. But Jesus defeated the devil. He bought us back; he redeemed us. Jesus is the only one I know who buys back what was his in the first place. Either way, since he bought us, we are his; we belong to him. Technically, this makes us his slaves. Fortunately, we have a good Master; he’s the kind of Master that sets us free and calls us friends and family and Bride. With Jesus, the situation just gets better and better.

Now he would purify his Bride. Purity is restored dignity. Where once we were harlots, he now regards us as chaste. Where once we were scoundrels, he now regards us as honest. Where once we were ashamed, he now lifts our head so we can lock eyes with God-who-is-Love. There is only love there, love which brings hope, new hope. This hope is hope for a new life, a liberated life. It is the dawn of a new day. This new hope holds promise for many, many more new days, an eternity of new days. The night has passed and a sun is eternally rising. This is a new life, because it is a life in which you will become closer and closer to One who is your friend, your guide, your teacher, your Physician, your spouse, your brother and your sister. With such a companion, purity becomes a new possibility. It is found in no other place than in close relation to your abiding Lord. Should you try to produce this purity on your own, you would fail. But, don’t worry: when you do, he will be there forgiving, playing the part of defender, putting the devil in his place and dignifying the blush and scandal within. With Him there will never be anything but fresh hope.

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. -Ephesians 5:25-27