29-what about all this sin!?

72.Q. Does this outward washing with water itself was away sins?
      A. No, only Jesus Christ's blood and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sin.

73.Q. Why then does the Holy Spirit call baptism the washing of rebirth and the washing away of sins?
     A. God has good reason for these words.  He wants to teach us that the blood and the Spirit of Christ wash away our sins just as water washes away dirt from our bodies.  But more important, He wants to assure us, by this divine pledge and sign, that the washing away of our sins spiritually is as real as physical washing with water.

74.Q. Should infants, too, be baptised?
     A. Yes. Infants as well as adults are in God's covenant and are His people.  They, no less than adults, are promised the forgiveness of sin through Christ's blood and the Holy Spirit who produces faith.  Therefore, baptism, the mark of the covenant, infants should be received into the Christian church and should be distinguished from the children of unbelievers.  This was done in the Old Testament by circumcision, which was replaced in the New Testament by baptism.
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Luke 13:24- (Jesus speaking) "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will enter wand will not be able.
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It is wrong for us to enter deliberately into temptation and to think only of the near escape of our souls.  We need to regard the comfort, joy, and peace of our spirits and to realize that we sojourn here for the honor of the gospel and glory of God.

John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray for the health of those being held in prison. Many do not receive even basic medical care and need God's healing and comfort.

Pray for Chinese believers and others who are forced to do hare labor in prison
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My life afrights me. For when carefully reviewed, its whole course shows in my sight like one great sin; or at least it is well-nigh nothing but barrenness. Or, if any fruit is seen in it, that fruit is so false, or so imperfect, or in some way or other so tainted with decay and corruption, that it must needs either fail to satisfy God, or else utterly offend Him." - Anselm

Something to Think About

All of us have sinned—if we were without sin, Jesus' sacrifice would not have been necessary to assure us a relationship with God. This week, take time to identify the temptations and sins that you struggle with. Are there unconfessed sins in your life that you need to bring before Jesus?