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“…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.”  I Corinthians 6:11 (ESV)

I’m totally a fan of having my toes out, free and unencumbered. My fave shoes are my Croc sandals or just about anything that isn’t closed in. Even when the chill of October hits, you will find me still running around town in those crocs – toes totally exposed.

Now if you’re right there with me on my toes and feet freedom then you also know the effects of having them bare.  Dry and cracked heels define mine if I don’t take time for some in-home spa moments. You will often find me on Saturday nights enjoying a hot foot soak infused with lavender and eucalyptus. Even the aroma soothes my entire body. And the finishing touch is exfoliating all that dead, yucky skin away before I lather those toes with my fave lotion. It’s the final touch that makes all the difference.

Don’t know about you but I often need a deep exfoliating of my whole self not just the toes. Kind of sounds like Peter doesn’t it when Jesus was washing the disciples’ feet? Peter’s initial resistance to Jesus washing his feet faded when Jesus countered, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”  Peter’s response was classic – not just my feet Lord, my hands and my head (John 13:9).

We want it all cleansed, don’t we? Some commentaries interpret hands as symbolizing our decisions and sins against other people, and the head representing our thoughts and sins committed in our minds. Jesus used this imagery to imply that He is the water and His work in the believer’s life is cleansing (John 15:3).

Considering these thoughts, I know my whole self needs deep exfoliation – a removal of those dead to sin areas of me.  And Jesus did just that when I confessed my sins and invited Him into my life – washed in the precious blood of the Lamb. Clothed in His righteousness – though our sins were like scarlet, we became white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). It truly is the most beautiful cleansing we could ever imagine.

As we journey through this fallen world, the dirt and grime attempts to take up residency in us and silence the voice of God.  Exactly why it is crucial to keep a short account of sin – in simpler terms, we need to confess and repent quickly so sin doesn’t have a chance of sticking to us. Sin that lingers and clings never serves us well. Our hearts become hard and resistant just like our calloused heels. Compromises become our mode of thinking – justifying what we know displeases our God. Dismissal becomes our go to response rather than heeding the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Sweet friends, we don’t want to excuse away the exfoliating of our souls, hearts and minds.  Each day, we need to saturate our minds with the word of God. Each morning when we rise, we need to surrender our day to God and seek His help in glorifying Him through what we think, see, say and do. And as we lay our heads to rest, I can’t think of a better way to end our day than searching our hearts and confessing any sin attempting to steal our freedom.

The sweet aroma of a heartfelt confession is welcomed and cherished in the presence of our God. And He, full of grace and mercy will exfoliate all that dead, yuckiness away. It’s His touch that makes all the difference.

“Father, thank You for Your grace that covers over all of me.  Your kindness draws me to Your truth and sets my spirit free – washed in Your precious blood.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life