And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

Do-over days.

You would be a most unusual person if you haven't had a few do-over days in your history.

Think back. Come on, be honest. I'm talking about those days when things did not go as you had planned. I'm talking about times when you knew things couldn't possibly get worse, and they did just that.

Parents, did you ever punish one of your children only to find out later on that the one you punished was innocent, and someone else had been the culprit? Don't you wish you could do that day over? How about things you never should have said; things which were said in anger, frustration or disappointment; things which were cruel, callous, hurtful and horrible. Our loose lips could fill a calendar with do-over days.

Most of us even have had times when we should have said something and we kept silent. Maybe you let a friend or family member pass away and you never spoke the words of love that were in your heart. I've seen fathers-of-the-bride who wanted to tell their daughters the guy they were marrying was a schmuck, but they kept silent. All those dads wish they had spoken up.

Do-over days. There are purchases we should never have made; friendships we should never have started; parties we should have avoided. They all make us want a do-over day.

Now if you're thinking this devotion is going to say you can have those do-over days, you are wrong.

Nobody, not even Christians, get do-over days. On the other hand, because of Jesus we get something more than a chance to relive our sins, our mistakes, and errors. With Jesus we get a clean slate. His life was dedicated to winning forgiveness for a lost and hopeless world. His death and resurrection are the Heavenly Father's assurance the work of saving us has been finished.

Because of what the Savior has done, all who believe on Him as their Redeemer have an opportunity to learn from what they have done wrong. They can repent of their transgressions, and then they are empowered to proceed forward with a life that is free from the weights of past mistakes.

Isaiah explained it wonderfully well when he wrote, "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

In short, there are no do-overs. There is only the redemption and transformation made possible because of God's Son, our Savior and our Lord.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I give thanks that because of You my past is made right and my future is assured. May my heart never regret a lack of loyalty and praise to You. This I ask in Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Job 25-27    Matthew 12:24-50

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