Sweeping, washing and cleaning are activities that we have to repeat to keep our houses in order. You just can’t do it one time. Spiritual housekeeping is the same way. We do not get by with a single confession or repentance. Our surrenders must be lived out. We have to do what needs to be done as often as it needs to be done. Our salvation is not some legal transaction. It is an ongoing relationship with our Lord, to whom we submit. It is an ongoing relationship with our Great Physician who keeps ministering healing to our inner being. It is an ongoing relationship with our High Priest who hears our confession. It is an ongoing relationship with our Potter who is patiently shaping us. It is sitting at the feet of our teacher to hear all the things that we need to be applying each day in our service of Him and others. It is finishing the race that we began.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV)
