A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers     

1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” As the great Methodist evangelist John Wesley was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature. As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, “Stop! I have something more to give you.” The surprised robber paused and turned back to face the preacher. “My friend,” said Wesley, “you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here’s something to remember: ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!’“ The thief hurried away into the darkness, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit. Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. What a surprise to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ and a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before! “I owe it all to you,” said the transformed man. “Oh no, my friend,” Wesley exclaimed, “not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!” My friend, there is still power in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ to wash away every vestige of sin from your life as well. Listen, we are all human, we all have made mistakes that in retrospect we wish we had not. But no matter who you are, or what you have done, the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you this day. As William Cowper’s great hymn resounds, “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins, and sinners plunge beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains.” Right now, receive by faith the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ, and the transformative power of God’s mercy and grace can impart to you peace and absolution for this new day.