Spring Cleaning for Your Soul

As the weather starts to get nicer the smells of springtime fill the air. These sights, smells, and feelings inspire us to get outside more and start cleaning out the closets or the garage.

Spring can also be a good time to see your neighbors. As families come out of hibernation you may get to catch up on things. If you are a Christian, that could include an opportunity to tell your friends about the greatest news of all, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The gospel or good news is that although God created the world and all things in it as perfectly good, Adam and Eve rebelled. Their sin brought a curse in the world. People from then on have been born with a bent towards sin, and live out those inclinations every day in their thoughts, attitudes, words, and deeds.

Because God is just, he must judge all sin. But because God is good and loving, he made a way to be both just and the justifier of some of his rebel creatures. He sent Jesus, his Son to the earth. Jesus lived the life we should have lived and then he died as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners on the cross.

Three days after Jesus died, he literally rose again from the dead. God offers a complete pardon, based on the work of Jesus, to anyone who will repent of their sins and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. One day, Jesus will return to the earth and judge the living and the dead.

While it is not a popular message with folks who feel pretty good about themselves, in actuality it is the best message of all. We are used to treating all messages as if they are equally true, even if they contradict one another. But the fact is that some messages are truly true and other messages are blatantly false.

Consider for a moment that the Bible is God’s Word and that the gospel that I have summarized is completely accurate.

The implication for you as a Non-Christian is that your sins will one day be judged by Jesus himself. Jesus once said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36, 37). That gets down to the details, doesn’t it?

You have no place to run; God sees it all, knows it all, and remembers it all. Your best efforts to make up for your sins always fail. Your good works never outweigh your bad works, and even if they could, that would not atone for your sins.

Your only hope is Jesus. But that is great news. You, the sinner, still have solid hope.

Again, assume the Bible is true. It says Jesus loves sinners just like you. Stories abound of Jesus compassionate healing and his amazing power over demons, diseases, and even nature itself. In other words, Jesus can really pull off your salvation.

You need to be saved from your sinful heart, which is the source of your polluted words and actions. You need to be saved from your sinful record. God’s wrath is coming like a train with you chained to the tracks. You need to be delivered or you will die! Jesus is your deliverer!

Repentance is not a fancy package of emotions, tear, and mere resolutions to try harder. A change of mindset is the basic definition of the word. That change of heart will lead to a change of lifestyle. Faith means to trust something or someone. In this case it is trusting in Jesus.

If all of the junk in the house catches fire before you get to your spring cleaning, imagine a child being trapped in a room. You are able to get them to open their window, but the smoke still seems to be everywhere. You call for them to jump into your arms to be saved.

Of course, they are afraid and confused. You call again in a strong voice. You can and will catch them. They turn from the flames and trust you. They leap into your arms and are delivered from the hot flames.

According to the Bible, you are guilty of treason before your maker. The flames of his judgment are heating up. You really need to be saved. Jesus says turn from your sins and leap into my arms. I can and will catch you. I died and now I am alive. I satisfied every bit of God’s wrath. Now jump to me and live.

God’s goodness is manifested all around us in the springtime. As you enjoy his good sights, smells, and feelings, be sure to stop and thank him for these gifts. But more than that, respond to his ultimate gift of salvation.

If you choose to reject Jesus, these common blessings of God’s creation will be the closest to heaven you will ever get. When you die, you will be eternally judged. If you respond to Jesus’ offer of salvation, however, all of God’s goodness will be multiplied when Jesus returns and renews the universe and we enjoy heaven on earth forever!