Stubborn Stain Removal

“Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress?” Isaiah 63:2

My mother’s generation was really good at getting stains out of clothing. Everything was less disposable then – clothes needed to last – and most moms were really skilled at getting out grass stains and other stubborn stains. The trick to easier stain removal is quick treatment. It seems the longer a stain is in a garment, the harder it is to remove.

That goes for spiritual stains, too. It seems the longer the enemy has had a toe hold, the more resistant he is to letting go of it. Some Christians talk about ‘generational curses’, as in “In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” (Jeremiah 31:29) I don’t think anyone in his right mind denies that propensities toward certain behaviors run in families, hence the little ditty, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall; I am my mother after all.” Usually, this is not intended as a flattering observation.

We live our lives in stained clothing. Some of the stains are faded and barely visible. Some we’ve been able to get out altogether through patient, faithful following on to know the Lord (Hebrews 6:12). Some are embarrassing, and we don’t know how to get them out. We try to hide them, but that’s hard to do.

Jesus is coming for a bride without spot or blemish (Ephesians 5:27). That’s a hopeful concept because it tells us we aren’t wasting our time to keep working on getting those stains out, even the oldest ones that are stubbornly set-in. The blood of Jesus has been around longer than any stain that mars you or me. He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, before God breathed the first breath into the first human being (Revelation 13:8). There is no stain that can resist the scrubbing power of Jesus’ blood. It washes as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). Jesus wears the red stains of Calvary so we don’t have to – we can be clean. By faith, we are clean.

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Now by this I’ll overcome-
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Now by this I’ll reach my home-
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Glory! Glory! This I sing-
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
All my praise for this I bring-
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow.
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

 

Leaves Of Grace © Melissa Kay Simonds

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