Washed & Wrinkle-Free

Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV®)
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

We’ve often heard teaching on, “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church.” But look at what follows: Christ gave Himself up for the Church—that’s us—to make us holy and blameless. This kind of sin removal is not a load of laundry set on delicate. It needs a heavy-duty cycle with hot water and strong detergent. Then, He wants to iron out our wrinkles, too! The process will be uncomfortable because we’re sinful people with lots of spots and wrinkles. It will be ongoing because what is clean and wrinkle-free in the morning will not stay that way. God loves us enough to help us be clean and unwrinkled. So, let’s humbly submit to whatever processes He needs to put us through.

THINK ABOUT IT
When you go through what seems like a heavy-duty scrubbing, remember: It is Jesus’ love doing the washing. Keep your eyes on the “without stain, wrinkle, or any other blemish” bit!

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I have nothing to offer to be righteous in Your sight except Jesus’ shed blood. I know You are just and faithful to cover my daily transgressions when I ask for forgiveness through the cross. I am grateful for Jesus continually cleansing me from all sin so I can stand before You without stain or wrinkle! In His name, amen.