What Cleaning Reveals

Examining our hearts in light of God's word is important for all Christians to do.  As I sat reading the Bible this morning, the light of the sun shining through the window illuminated floating specks of dust previously unseen by my eyes.  The sun's rays did not create the dust but revealed their existence.  God's word and the presence of the Holy Spirit work in a similar manner to reveal the conditions of our hearts.  Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  The Bible guides our steps and also provides insight into sin-darkened areas of our lives we never knew existed.

When we become serious about self-examination and take stock of our lives, the need for cleansing goes beyond what we initially see.  We may realise our tendency to exaggerate or curse but didn't notice our habit of gossip and harsh judgments.  I saw a great example of this yesterday when I mopped the predominately white tiles in our house.  As the clean damp mop moved over the surface, removed discoloured spots, and gathered lint it revealed tiny drops of white paint which were invisible when the tile was dry.  The moisture in the mop which lifted dust off the floor showed more than a mop was needed:  the paint was easily removed with a fingernail.  I could see the floor needed mopping, and the act of mopping compelled me to go even further for a quality clean.

A similar thing is true when we are born again and these unpleasant discoveries of the depth of our natural sinfulness becomes evident.  Though our sin is bad news praise the LORD He has provided the good news He is able to wash us clean of all sin and forgive us through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ once and for all.  We are new creations through faith in Jesus yet regular maintenance and even deep cleaning is necessary to maintain a healthy relationship with God.  The longer we live in a house the more potential there is to have dry rot, a roof or shower-pan leak, a pest infestation, spent globes, and grime on benchtops, cabinets, and power points.  Let us not be complacent in the cleansing of our hearts and our need to repent.  Intentional repentance and turning from sins shows us additional hidden sins must be confessed and forsaken.