God’s Canning Process: Sterilizing

Both my grandmothers used to can fruits and vegetables. It was an all day affair for them, but we enjoyed the fruits (and veggies) of their labor for months.

The first thing they had to do was sterilize the Ball jars. Sterilizing required washing, rinsing and boiling the jars. Canning jars had to be completely free of any trace of spores, bacteria or aerobic microorganisms. Eating food from jars that were not sterile could cause severe illness, or in extreme cases, death.

In God’s canning process, the first thing He does is sterilize us as His vessels. He makes us perfectly clean. That’s what Jesus did for us on the cross. He wipes away the stain of sin forever and sets us free from sin’s stronghold on our lives.

Unfortunately, many sincere believers can’t grasp that concept. They get saved, then they believe they must do things to help God do what He’s already done. Many sincere believers who get saved continue to spend their lives in self-condemnation and shame for stuff God has no memory of. Once God sterilizes us, we’re clean.

“let us continue to come near with sincere hearts in full assurance of faith, because our hearts have been sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22

There’s not a trace of sin’s hold on our lives. No botulism in us. No lingering aftertaste. We’re free from the power of sin forever. Completely sterilized.

“…our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.” Romans 6b-7. NASB

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 NASB

Here are a few question for us today: Are we going to believe what the Bible says about us? What God says about us? Or are we going to believe our own thoughts and feelings? Your answer will determine how you live your life here on earth.

The next thing God does in His canning process is fill us with Himself.