In Pursuit of JesusSample

A Clean Slate

After being released from prison, Michael was eager for a fresh start on life. As he ventured back into the world, he wanted to have the gang-related tattoos that covered his body removed. The tattoos were reminders of the way he’d lived before serving fifteen years in prison; removing them helped him move forward into a new life.

When we go to God for forgiveness, we begin a new life too. He performs an inward cleansing on our hearts—one that removes the “tattoos” of our wrongdoings. The psalmist, King David, describes his inward cleansing from sin in Psalm 51. He writes with pained awareness of the ways he’s wronged God, knowing he has “done what is evil in [His] sight” (v. 4). David trustingly asks God to wash away those stains: “Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (v. 7).

We can’t see the physical evidence of God’s inward cleansing of us. Yet when we trust in the sacrifice Jesus made to purchase that forgiveness, we can be assured that we’ve been washed clean. Even though the consequences of our actions may remain—the son born of David’s adultery died—our hearts are free from the “tattoos” of our past. Lord, we too have done evil in Your sight. Please wash us clean! —Kirsten Holmberg

What “tattoo” would you like to remove? How have you been inwardly cleansed?

God, we love You! Help us to come to You for cleansing and forgiveness.