“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and life through the Holy Spirit. Titus Chapter III
Redeemed
Restored
Repurposed
I was about six years old when I started my first business.
I discovered that Tapp's Grocery store would give me 5 cents for an empty pop bottle!
This was nearly a fortune for a 6-year-old boy with no overhead.
I was even more surprised that people would leave them around like free money to be claimed.
So, I would search the neighborhood for orphaned pop bottles.
One day, after cleaning up a couple of bottles and setting off down the path to Tapp's store, I ran across a bottle submerged in a dried-up mud puddle.
I dug it out with a stick and tucked it under my arm to take back home later and clean it up.
When I got to the store and presented the two "cleaned" up bottles, Russell Tapp gave me 15 cents.
I told him I only had two that were "cleaned" up.
He then told me their condition didn't matter when I brought them in, but they all had the same value.
What a lesson.
How much are we like this when understanding God's purpose and ways?
Redeemed.
First, no matter our condition, we all have the same value.
Jesus Christ paid the same price for each of us to redeem us.
Second, no matter how much we try to clean ourselves up to be acceptable to Him, we cannot be clean enough through our efforts.
The bottling company has its process and standards and will not accept anything less than perfectly clean.
Only God can purify us by His Son's blood.
Lastly, we are then filled up by the Holy Spirit to be poured out for His purpose: love.
Redeemed, Restored, and Repurposed.
Have you received God's redemption through Jesus Christ?
How have you tried to clean yourself to be acceptable to God?
How has God shown you His purpose for your life?
Lord, Your ways are higher than our ways. Bring those reading this who need Your redemption the knowledge that Jesus has paid their price for redemption. For those who know you but are trying to clean up their lives, show them the righteousness You have already given them. Lead us all to know Your purpose for our lives...LOVE. Amen