Getting a Deep Clean

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

 In January 2016, in N. Ireland there was an outbreak of a bacterial infection called Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. In a two-week period it caused the death of three infants. This infection causes breathing difficulties and tissue damage. It is reported that the bacteria can take hold in areas such as sinks and in water pipes with stagnant water and can live for several days on various surfaces. A university bacteriologist reportedly said that this is a bug which is very common in nature. The hospital ordered a deep clean of the neo-natal ward involved and succeeded in eradicating the infection.

This reminds us very vividly of the greatest infection that ever affected the human race. It does not have a long, scientific name like Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, but has a simple three-letter name, sin. This entered the human race at its outset and so the whole stream was contaminated at its source and everyone is infected. Just as Pseudomonas is very common in nature; so is sin. It is common in every human being and is part of our nature. The fact that we commit acts of sin proves that we are sinners and so the Bible states, "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3.23.

The result of the outbreak in the hospital was death. The Bible says of sin, "sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death" James 1.15. Again we read in God’s Word, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" Romans 5.12. This means that we will die because we are sinners. Those little children had no consciousness of sin, but they died. Death is not a result of sickness, since healthy people die, for example, in accidents; nor is it the result of old age; nor is it attributed to social conditions because rich and poor, the well-fed and the starving, all die. It is the result of sin.

The hospital ward needed a deep cleaning to eradicate the problem. It is very blessed to know that our sins can all be cleansed and that without any human agency. The detergent to remove the defilement of sin has never been discovered by man. Religion, good works, philosophy and the like, will never take away sins. Dear reader, revel in these glorious words, "the blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin" 1John 1.7. The Bible declares of another company, "These are they which … have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" Revelation 7.14. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God shed His blood sacrificially on the cross of Calvary, so that God, on a righteous basis, could forgive our sins. The hymn-writer John Stockton penned precious words:

For Jesus shed His precious blood

Rich blessings to bestow;

Plunge now into the crimson flood

That washes white as snow.

It is a comfort to know that the children who died in infancy were not old enough to be responsible to God but were sheltered by the efficacy of His blood and are now in the glory. But what about the readers who are mature and are accountable to God for every sin? Those who die without the Saviour, face eternal punishment, but for all who have accepted Him, the blessings of heaven for all eternity have been purchased by His precious blood.

Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?

There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;

Sin stains are lost in its life-giving flow.

There’s wonderful power in the blood.

(L. E. Jones)

Used by kind permission of Assembly Testimony

For more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk