Threads of Gratitude: White Linen Cloths Edition

Sin is dirty.  Ugly.  Staining.  A bloody smear across a canvas of white.

Sin is shameful.  Wretched.  Filthy.  Exposing my nakedness to a mocking, unforgiving world.  Heaping guilt upon guilt for all the times I have failed, fallen, given in.

Sin is constantly reminding.  Accusing.  Judging.  A cruel tormentor to my burdened soul.

Amidst all this darkness, all this pain, there is a reason to be grateful.

For you see, I have been set free from the power of sin.  My stain has been washed clean, restored to pure white.  My nakedness has been covered.  My accuser has been silenced.

All because of the sacrifice of my Jesus, who took the punishment I deserved.  Who bore the beatings that should have been mine.  Who commuted my sentence of death onto Himself.  Who stood before my accuser and accepted the accusations hurled at me.

All because of love.  Love of an imperfect, insecure, fragile girl like me.  Love that sees beyond who I am to what I can be.  Love that desires the very best for my life.  Love that is willing to endure incredible pain and intense personal sacrifice on my behalf.

All so I can stand, clothed in white linen.  All so I can be clean in the presence of my holy God.  All so that when my accuser hurls his threats, his reminders, his images of my sin before the Judge’s throne, I can know my verdict is secure:

NOT GUILTY.

For that, I am eternally grateful.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH7m-q2G8jA[/youtube]