I had the honor of a lifetime late last night.

My daughter, Carson, called us from church camp in Nashville to let us know that she was ready to accept Jesus as her Savior and be baptized for the remission of her sins. Hollianne and I rushed over to middle Tennessee to be a part of this special event- and I even had the great honor of baptizing my little girl.

We are born sinners, but we do not need to die in sin. The death of Jesus on Calvary’s cross has blotted away our sins- and has cleansed us from the inside out.

Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Psalm 24:3-4

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:14

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:22-23

True cleansing comes from within. It’s a matter of the heart. We experience grace and salvation through contact with Christ’s blood. Our transgressions are blotted out…our sins are forgiven. What a glorious gift.

I told Carson last night that her obedience and outward commitment to God had given us a new relationship. She woke up on Thursday morning a daughter, but she went to sleep as my sister in Christ.

What a great feeling. God bless.
(Reprinted from June 20, 2014)