Recently, I told folks at a conference that anytime I accidently see or hear what I’m not supposed to, I don’t only ask for forgiveness. I also plead the blood of Jesus. I told them; “You can still be bound by what God has forgiven you of if you don’t know how to apply the blood to cleanse you from that experience.”
Friend, you can be freed but still bound (John 8:32, 36). I know we often tell people that their past is gone when they got saved, which is true. But a lot of people are still held down by their past. Believers need to be taught how to effectively deal with their past. Salvation is not the end. You need to get into discipleship as you transit from your old life to the new (2 Corinthians 5:16-18).
Did you notice that Apostle John mentioned that, apart from God forgiving our sins, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). While sin is both a nature and an action, unrighteousness, according to that scripture, is a feeling or consciousness (Luke 15:21).
You can be forgiven but still carry a sense of unrighteousness or guilt (Hebrews 4:15-16). This is what the devil often exploits in the lives of people. He knows that you are forgiven, but he wants you to go about with a sense of unrighteousness or unworthiness. Such a person would still live as though unforgiven (1 John 2:12).
When Jesus met with the woman caught in adultery, his first message to her was; “Neither do I condemn you.” He gave her the gift of no condemnation so she could go and sin no more (John 8:11). The empowerment to go and sin no more lies in being cleansed from all unrighteousness or unworthiness.
The blood did not only save or forgave you. It also cleanses you. This cleansing is continuous; to keep you free and conscious of your freedom (Revelation 12:11). Learn to plead the blood of Jesus, not just when praying warfare prayers. Do so to stay free and sanctified. It is our weapon of purity and freedom (Matthew 5:8). Calvary has forgiven your past, but let confession of the blood keep you free. Amen.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria