Daily Devotionals

Bowen's Daily Meditations

Devotional: February 22nd

" The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin." - John 1:7.

The sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, our willing substitute, were such a satisfaction for sin, such a reparation to the law of God, that it has become every way consistent with divine justice, wisdom, and truth, to accord mercy to sinners, and bless them without any other restriction than that which their own unwillingness and unbelief interpose. There is a fountain opened up for sin and for uncleanness; and whosoever will, may take of the water of life freely. " The well is deep, and thou hast nothing to draw with,’ said the Samaritan woman to Christ. One might be embarrassed at a well or fountain, to know how to avail himself of the waters; but if he saw another draw water and drink, he could profit by his example. On the cross, we see Christ dying, the just for the unjust; and perhaps may wonder how the unjust are to profit thereby, until we see the thief on the cross put out his hand and drink of that fountain, and obtain life for evermore.

Then our difficulty is removed; we see that we have just to believe, and be cleansed from all our iniquities.

We may plead the merits of this blood as an indemnification for all our sins; so that we may ask and receive from the same all-willing hand that blesses the angels. And this blood has not only the power to conciliate God; it has power over hearts. Not only in the way of inspiring us with faith in God’s forgiving grace, but also with hatred of the sins that caused the death of Christ. And we never truly receive pardon for sin without receiving power over sin. He that has a true hope in Christ, purifies himself even as Christ is pure. Faith in him is vital union to him; and as the branch cannot but partake of the qualities of the vine, so we must partake of his qualities, or confess ourselves unbelievers. The increase of faith is the increase of all the fruits of righteousness.

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