Go and Wash Up

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“They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.” – Titus 1:16

I truly believe my children want to do the right things and want nothing more than to be obedient, honest and trustworthy in my eyes.  But, I must say it is so frustrating when they completely tune us out as their parents because they are engrossed in a game or a video or a book.  We can stand right next to them and say something like, “Okay, time to get ready for bed.” or “Go wash your hands for dinner.” and they don’t move a muscle ore even acknowledge that something was said.  We know they heard us, but our comments are going in one ear and out the other.  Generally this results in either me or my wife getting upset with them for not listening and obeying, and a punishment is normally close at hand.  If they would only listen and follow our instructions so many tears and whining would be prevented.  

Are we any different as adults?  There is this mold of perfection, set by Jesus Christ himself, which is set as the baseline, the benchmark and goal for us to achieve.  The casual observer is going to look at your life, or my life and be quick to point out how unbelievably far you are from representing that perfection.  How quick we are to look at another and point out their shortcomings, highlighting their actions and words that are way outside the lines of what we define as a “Christian”.  The reality is we cannot be perfect, we cannot become self reliant and achieve the reward of heaven on our own.  The acceptance of Christ as our Savior and Lord has secured our place in heaven, only by His grace and mercy, not because of anything we have done.  Not because all of a sudden we are a better person, our problems are gone and our lives become free of temptation.  No, not at all.  As a matter of fact, life becomes more difficult and challenging the more we learn about Christ and are filled by the Holy Spirit.

Within our heart we know right from wrong, we know good from evil and where that line is.  Being of this world though, we are prone to cross that line in our life and dip our toe into the temptations of this world.  In our weakness we are prone to lies, deceit and corruption.  The good news is that our eyes are opened to this unrighteousness and as we become more in tune with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we are becoming able to thwart the temptations and seek that which is holy and pure.  God’s grace is immeasurable, and sufficient for our iniquities.  As we are disgusting in our actions and deeds, He is all the more forgiving in His pouring out of grace upon us.  No, it is not right to continue seeking the sinful nature of this world.  With the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit this becomes truth in the believers heart, and abhorrent in their own eyes.  God’s grace covers us though, regardless of how many times we fall.  There is no button that is flipped upon salvation that frees you from a life of sin.  It is a daily dependence upon your Savior and trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide your steps that gets you through these times in life.

Just like my children mentioned above, your heavenly Father is telling you to go get washed up.  Don’t be the disobedient child of God and ignore your Father’s calling.  Come to the foot of the cross and be washed clean of your actions each day, and following His guidance from there forward.

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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