Category Archives: Cleanliness?

Some Light On Laundry Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #89

04 Thursday May 2023

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Advice for the journey, All things that pertain to life and godliness, Are you clean?, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, Born Again, Cleanliness?, Cleansed from all sin, Clothed In His Righteousness, Laundry Day, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Reflecting HIS glory, Remember, Righteousness, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN

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Some Light On Laundry Day??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #89

Yes, it’s laundry day at our house–and I just thought that we might consider what else needs to be “laundered” in my life and yours!  Sometimes as we do the laundry, it’s relatively normal, and then there are those times that those little stains have become giant problems, and we have to soak, and scrub, and sometimes even wash them multiple times.  We don’t usually like to wear stained clothing.  But what are we doing with our spiritual garments?  Are we walking in spotty clothing, or filthy garments?  What does God see in our lives–is HE convicting us to “do the laundry”, or maybe some scrubbing, or soaking, or repentance!

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

The word ‘confess’ is a word that means to “agree with God” about our sin.  So often we compare ourselves to others–those who have “real issues”!  But we are called to line our lives up with The Word of God, to walk and live by God’s standard not our own, or the world’s!  Where have we been walking?  Have we been rolling in the mud of sin?  Have we gotten stained with the dirt of the world we are walking through.  Jesus had something to say about that when he was with the disciples on that last night before His death.

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

What I do thou knowest not now;

but thou shalt know hereafter.

8 Peter saith unto him,

Thou shalt never wash my feet.

Jesus answered him,

If I wash thee not,

thou hast no part with me.

9 Simon Peter saith unto him,

Lord, not my feet only,

but also my hands and my head.

10 Jesus saith to him,

He that is washed

needeth not save to wash his feet,

but is clean every whit:

and ye are clean,

but not all.

11 For he knew who should betray him;

therefore said he,

Ye are not all clean.”  John 13:7-11

 When we come to Jesus in repentance of ‘my’ sin, and faith in HIS substitutionary (in our place), atoning (made right with God) sacrifice (the payment due for my sin), we are cleansed by HIS blood–the sacrifice for our sin that Jesus made at Calvary.  But we are still in the body of flesh and walking around in a world of sin, with an enemy “seeking whom he may devour” at every turn.  So, the main question is, “Am I washed in the blood of The Lamb?”; and if I am then I am to be continually washing of my feet that are on this worldly road.  But even as Jesus said of Judas Iscariot, there are many (See Matthew 7:11-29) who claim His name without His cleansing blood, and without HIS blood there is “no remission of sin”!  Paul makes it clear that SIN IS the issue.

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

The Apostle John gives us a message straight from heaven!

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me,

What are these which are arrayed in white robes?

and whence came they?

14 And I said unto him,

Sir, thou knowest.

And he said to me,

These are they

which came out of great tribulation,

and have washed their robes,

and made them white

in the blood of the Lamb.”  Revelation 7:13-14

The Apostle John had more to say about the “blood of The Lamb” and the work of the Holy Spirit in giving “new birth” to those who respond to the call of God on their hearts in repentance and faith!  And remember, Jesus IS truth (see John 15:6)!

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.”  1 John 1:6-8

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

In conclusion, if you have been ‘born again’ (See John 3:1-19) by the blood of the Lamb, and have washed your garments clean, you have only to walk in THE LIGHT and wash your feet–staying away from the ‘pig pen’, for we have been saved, cleansed, and kept by the One whose blood paid for our sin and gives us eternal life.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work

in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”  Philippians 1:6

If you haven’t been ‘born again’, I invite you to listen to the voice of Jesus calling to your heart by the power of HIS Holy Spirit.  If HE is knocking at your door, please open to HIM today, and we can walk together in light, and keep our garments clean!  Here is some food for thought–see you next time.

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved,

let us cleanse ourselves

from all filthiness

of the flesh

and spirit,

perfecting holiness

in the fear of God.”  2 Corinthians 7:1

“Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.”  James 4:8

“And to her was granted

that she should be arrayed in fine linen,

clean and white:

for the fine linen

is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:8

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us

 the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.    

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness

of God in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

Amen!!!

Biblical Boundaries Matter??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #78

20 Monday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Be ye doers of the Word, Be ye DOERS of the word NOT hearers only, Be ye HOLY, Biblical Boundaries Matter!, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Cleanliness?, Compromise, Confessing Sin, Consider Your ways, Darkness or Light?, The Word

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Biblical Boundaries Matter???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #78

As our culture seems to be abandoning everything godly and biblical, I would like to call us to consider God’s Word on the matters of godly living, living holy lives, and being a reflection of Jesus rather than popular fashion, morality, and questionable pursuits.  Will you spend some time with me today considering God’s Word in contrast to the popular message of the world.

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:15-16

And note “conversation” here means lifestyle not just our words!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.”  1 Peter 5:6-7

“Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:

We are called to “humble” ourselves under our Lord God, and Jesus The Son, rather than humbling others with our often sharp and crass words.  For when our hearts are humbled before God, we will find opportunities to lift others up and not tear them down.  We will also learn to see people with eyes of love and forgiveness, rather than going around with a pocket full of rocks to throw.

“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good

to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,

whereby ye are sealed

unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all

bitterness,

and wrath,

and anger,

and clamour,

and evil speaking,

be put away from you,

with all malice:

32 And be ye

kind one to another,

tenderhearted,

forgiving one another,

even as God

for Christ’s sake

hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:29-32

Oh, that we can learn to spread kindness and joy rather than the meanness of the world all around us.  When will we (with a capital “ME”) learn to allow the Holy Spirit of Jesus to direct our hearts, lives, words, and actions crying out, “Father, forgive them for the know not what they do….”?  Rather than throwing those rocks that we have in our pockets, Jesus gives us great instruction that is often misunderstood, for Jesus never told us NOT to judge things at all, but to render right judgment with love, kindness, and discernment.  Scripture is replete with instructions in regard to holiness, morality, and just plain right and wrong–and there is still ‘right and wrong’ for the rules haven’t changed.  How are you ‘judging’?  Remember God made mirrors so that we could see our own shortcomings before passing judgment on others.

“Judge not,

that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge,

ye shall be judged:

and with what measure ye mete,

it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou

the mote that is in thy brother’s eye,

but considerest not

the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother,

Let me pull out the mote

out of thine eye;

and, behold,

a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite,

first cast out the beam

out of thine own eye;

and then shalt thou see clearly

to cast out the mote

out of thy brother’s eye.”  Matthew 7:1-5

“For our rejoicing is this,

the testimony of our conscience,

that in simplicity

and godly sincerity,

not with fleshly wisdom,

but by the grace of God,

we have had our conversation

in the world,

and more abundantly

to you-ward.”  2 Corinthians 1:12

“Of his own will begat he us

with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of firstfruits

of his creatures.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,

let every man be

swift to hear,

slow to speak,

slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man

worketh not the righteousness of God.

21 Wherefore lay apart

all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,

and receive with meekness

the engrafted word,

which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man beholding

his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

 this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you

seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.”James 1:18-26

Just ‘hearers’, or are we ‘doers’?  What do we rejoice in?  Simplicity and “godly sincerity” or with the indulgence and excesses of the world?  Satan makes it so subtle that we are often easily influenced if we don’t know God’s Word to “withstand in the evil day”!  And surely, we are in an evil day!

We also live in a day that not only places no value on “life” but have pretty much written off the sanctity of marriage and a biblical home.

“Marriage is honourable in all,

and the bed undefiled:

but whoremongers and adulterers

God will judge.

5 Let your conversation

be without covetousness;

and be content

with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:4-6

And in closing, I’d like to simply share Paul’s contrast between the deeds of the flesh and the “fruit of the Spirit”.  Where are you walking?  Which set of life-choices are you and I promoting and teaching to those around us–by example as much as by our words (if not more so!)!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,

and the Spirit against the flesh:

and these are contrary

the one to the other:

so that ye cannot do the things

that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit,

ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit

the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16-25

Note which of these things are accepted, promoted, and flourishing in our culture, and which ones are despised.  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.  And remember what we who are Christ’s are called to in the passage that we began with:

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:15-16

Amen and Amen

Cleanliness Is ________??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #479

25 Wednesday Jul 2018

Posted by in Cleanliness?, Salvation

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #479 Cleanliness Is_____???

 

“Wash me throughly

from mine iniquity,

and cleanse me

from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:

and my sin is ever before me……

7 Purge me with hyssop,

and I shall be clean:

wash me,

and I shall be whiter than snow.”  Psalm 51:2-3

While “cleanliness is next to godliness” is not in the scripture, we must have a clean and pure heart before God, yet the irony of it all is that we can’t have a clean heart unless it has been cleansed by faith in the saving work that Jesus accomplished with His blood at Calvary! Only God can cleanse and He will cleanse all who come to Him in repentance and faith.

Jesus spoke to the church at Laodicea with a message of warning (Just being ‘in’ church can’t save, but Jesus can!) and a call to repentance from their self-righteousness, and while He doesn’t use the word “cleanse”, He does call them to “clean up their act” by coming to Him, rather than themselves for salvation! Only when we recognize the fact that we can’t save ourselves will we seek the cleansing, saving power of Jesus, by His saving, atoning sacrifice.

“Because thou sayest,

I am rich,

and increased with goods,

and have need of nothing;

and knowest not

that thou art wretched,

and miserable,

and poor,

and blind,

and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me

gold tried in the fire,

that thou mayest be rich;

and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed,

and that the shame of thy nakedness

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:17-18

The only way to “buy of me”, is through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice on the cross—He did it all for you and me.

This is what the prophet Isaiah was talking about long before the Messiah came—Jesus! You can remain in your sin and filth (God says ‘our’ righteousness/goodness is as ‘filthy rags’! Isaiah 64:6) or you can go to Jesus for a spiritual bath?

“Ho, every one that thirsteth,

come ye to the waters,

and he that hath no money;

come ye, buy,

and eat;

yea, come,

buy wine

and milk

without money

and without price.

2 Wherefore do ye spend money

for that which is not bread?

and your labour

for that which satisfieth not?

hearken diligently unto me,

and eat ye that which is good,

and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3 Incline your ear,

and come unto me:

hear,

and your soul shall live;

and I will make an everlasting covenant

with you,

even the sure mercies of David.” Isaiah 55:1-3

And Jesus, the son of David is the sure mercy and cleansing of God—

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.

30 This is he of whom I said,

After me cometh a man

which is preferred before me: for he was before me.”

John 1:29-30

Jesus is that “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”—He took it to Calvary and paid the price for our cleansing before God! And when He saves, He cleanses! Even as He told Peter just before the cross:

“Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10 Jesus saith to him,

He that is washed

needeth not save to wash his feet,

but is clean every whit:

and ye are clean,

but not all.”   John 13:10

Are you clean? Jesus knows and He cares!