Saint and Sinner

11-28-22

Today's devotion is based on Isaiah 1:4, "They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him."

The truth God spoke through the prophet Isaiah gives us insight into human nature. We, God's chosen people, are just like the Israelites; God also chooses us to be his people, and yet we would rather put ourselves first, put others down, take a little more than we need, and live by the flesh. Our hearts are full of self and sinful desires. We tell ourselves that we are not as bad as others or don't sin, yet, sadly, we cannot save ourselves.

But the great news in all of this is that God had a plan a long time ago to heal our sinful, broken, diseased human hearts. Jesus rescues us from our sinful, corrupt hearts and recreates us daily through his word. In Jesus, you are new, no longer the old human but rather a saint washed in the blood of Jesus, and through the birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord, we have peace.
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Please pray with me: Lord, thank you for washing me clean with the blood you shed for my sin. Thank you that you have changed my heart, making me whole again. Jesus, let me live for you as I live for others, sharing your love with them. Guide me daily by your holy presence so that all I meet will see your love for them through my words and deeds. In Jesus' blessed name, I pray. Amen.