Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived ... 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 6:9a, 11

"Expungement" is a new word to me. In fact, every time I type it in this devotion my spell check is asking me if I want to change it.

Of course, you, like me, may wonder what expungement means.

If so, I'll tell you. It seems that when a juvenile commits a crime, he has a record. That record can stay with him for the rest of his life. Indeed, it will do just that unless it is expunged. Expungement is the process of erasing a crime from an individual's record. Except for crimes like murder, felony sex offenses, and driving under the influence, Chicago, Illinois, is encouraging young people who have a record to take the time and go through the process of expungement.

That way, with a clean slate, those young folks can get back to school or whatever it is they want to do with their lives. Sound like a good deal? It is. It's a very good deal. Unfortunately, Chicago is finding most of the young folks aren't getting their records expunged.

Why? Various reasons. Some don't think their crime a big deal and others think those crimes have been forgotten. Truth is, most of the folks who have been convicted of a crime simply don't know where they should start or what they should do to get their records expunged.

To help those folks, some concerned high school students have put together a program to help. Using computer, cell phone, or tablet, a convicted juvenile can use this program to get all the answers and find all the directions they need to make their record pristine and perfect.

I wish it would be that easy for sinners like you or me to get our records expunged.

Sadly, it isn't. Our sins are permanent. Every wrongdoing we have committed is going to follow us through this life and into the next. There is simply no way for any of us to clear our slates and erase our wrongs, which is why we need Jesus.

Knowing our helpless situation and the eternal consequences of our transgressions the Lord had mercy on us. In the Person of His Son, Jesus kept the laws we had broken and resisted the temptations, which had enticed the rest of us. Carrying our sins to the cross, Jesus died and by His resurrection He defeated death. Now, all who believe on Him as Savior find their sins have been expunged, and they are forgiven and saved.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice by which my sins have been expunged. May others also realize the value of what You have done and be brought to saving faith. In Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 3-5    Mark 5:21-43

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