Washed and Keeping Clean

We had dogs growing up, and some of the care of these pets fell to me.  I helped clean up after them, walk them, feed, and bathe them.  One especially frustrating thing about bathing the dogs was their lack of connection between being washed and staying clean.  None of our dogs particularly enjoyed being bathed, and it seemed like the first thing they did after their baths they dashed away and rolled in the dirt.  "Sporty," a Cocker Spaniel mix, was well-known for this.  In a ridiculously short time that dog managed to return his dusty, flea-ridden, and filthy state as before.

To me it seemed if Sporty knew he had been cleaned (especially since he hated baths), it would be fitting for him to make an effort to remain clean by refraining from filthy activities.  But Sporty, by nature being a dog (and not a particularly intelligent animal at that!), never understood or realised the connection.  From a tender age children are taught this very thing:  after taking a bath do not roll in the mud - in fact, never roll in the mud because it will mean a scolding, a spanking, or restriction of freedoms now enjoyed.  As children this understanding related to the clothes we wore.  If we were wearing our "nice" clothes we were to take care we did not slide on the grass and stain them.  Eating was to be done in the table and not in bed.  Perhaps you have no problem with eating in bed or in the car, but undoubtedly there are things you take care to keep clean.  A person's room may be a disaster but the same takes care to avoid touching the door in a public restroom after washing his hands.

When we are born again through faith in Jesus, He washes us pure and clean.  Knowing this ought to have a massive impact in the way we behave moving forward - much more than a little boy is aware he just had a bath and ought to take steps to avoid stomping in puddles.  Ephesians 5:1-4 says, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. ³ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; ⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."  It is not fitting for girls in their best dresses to use scissors to cut them to ribbons, nor is it fitting for children after a bath before bed to fling mud at each other.  There is behaviour fitting and unfitting a child of God, and part of spiritual maturity is finding out through scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit what is acceptable or not.  Following the example of Jesus is the safest and best way to conduct ourselves, imitating Him as children who imitate the father they admire.

Brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, our behaviour should not resemble the dog who returns to its vomit or as the fool who repeats his folly, our lives being marked by the very sins Jesus has washed us from.  Having been given a new nature through the Spirit there is no excuse for us to be like senseless animals who do not realise they have been cleansed or how to remain clean after washing.  We should show more care for loving God and others than keeping food out of our beds or germs from our hands.  Since we are washed clean from all impurity our eyes are to be fixed on Christ and our minds on godly things.  And when we find ourselves fallen in the mire of sin we should not wallow like pigs but humble ourselves before God in repentance and receive His cleansing forgiveness by faith.  Having been washed clean to abide in the presence of our King, we should carry ourselves - as much as depends upon us - in a fashion worthy of such privilege.

Best Without Trumpet

The Law governed external behaviour, but God looks upon the motives of our hearts.  It is not only what we do but the reasons why we do it which is of great interest to Him.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:1, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven."  Notice Jesus did not say it was wrong to be seen by others doing charitable deeds, but to ensure our motive for doing so is not personal recognition.  If the reason we serve, invite homeless people to a party, or give money is to benefit our public image, the praises of men will the be extent of our reward.  A pat on the back ends after a second or two, and those praises die out quick.

I believe it is a great thing when athletes or celebrities visit fans in hospital, feed those in need, or provide gifts to kids in schools.  It is a blessing for people to give back to their communities and gladly meet the needs of people around them.  But if those musicians, celebrities, or volunteers aren't willing to do the same without the cameras rolling, the news coverage, oversized checks, and the photo ops, such should not expect a reward from God for it.  This is like a hypocrite sounding a trumpet to draw attention to their worship for credit from men as Jesus spoke in Matthew 6:2, "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward."  Increased ticket sales, improved public relations, or a more generous or down-to-earth image might be all people hope for, but I would prefer to receive an eternal reward from God which will endure.  Pastors and Christians can also serve to be seen or recognised and thus deny themselves of blessings God delights to give.

Jesus continued in Matthew 6:3-4:  "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."  I cannot speak for others and their motivation for offering their time and money, but God knows precisely why we give, help, serve, or do good deeds.  The secret motives of all the hearts of men are laid bare before the mighty God.  If you feel slighted by serving or giving without recognition or praise from men, it may be that is your primary reason for doing good deeds in the first place.  We should be doing charitable deeds, for Jesus said "when you do a charitable deed," not "if."  Don't do it to post on social media, to boost views or likes, or to gain a following:  do it in secret unto the LORD for His glory.  Take great delight in only the LORD knowing, glad to give a special gift for Him from which others benefited.  Resist the urge to sound the trumpet and our Father who sees in secret will reward openly.

Created to Believe

I find Ephesians 2:8-10 to be most encouraging concerning God's grace.  Paul wrote, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹  not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  No one could deserve or earn salvation, but God grants forgiveness, redemption, and purpose for all who trust in Christ.  We are not approved by works, but being God's workmanship He has prepared works for us to do which glorify Him.  Salvation, as well as the privileges of serving God and others, are God's gifts to us.

In our own strength and wisdom we are incapable of doing anything for God, yet indwelt by the Holy Spirit we are helped to both will and do what God has ordained.  The crazy thing is God did not just make works for us to do, feeding us like raw materials into a machine to churn out a product, but He has especially created us to fulfil a particular role as a part of His Body, the church.  The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah presents a worthy example.  God devised a job for Jeremiah to do, but He also created Jeremiah with to do the particular job He had in mind - like a customised machine or tools are engineered to perform specialised tasks.  When I tried to fix the clutch on my truck, I found the flywheel very hard to remove until I borrowed a Snap-On flywheel wrench.  Having the right tool and the right person called by God for a job is key to accomplishing the tasks God intends.  Crazy He would include us, right?

Jeremiah 1:4-10 reveals the ability of God to create people fit to do a role accomplished only by His grace:  "Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: ⁵ "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." ⁶ Then said I: "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth." ⁷ But the LORD said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. ⁸ Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you," says the LORD. ⁹ Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. ¹⁰ See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant."  The revelation of God's specific plan and calling of Jeremiah was a shock to him.  As a child of God are you blown away to realise before you were born God knew, sanctified, and ordained you for His purposes?  I cannot say exactly what this will entail, and despite our protests has a plan He will see worked out in and through us according to His grace.

God will be with those who fear and trust Him, even as He was with Jeremiah and Paul.  He might not have set us over nations and kingdoms, but Jesus our Saviour is KING OF KINGS.  Many times we do not even know what to say, but He has put His Word into our hearts, minds, and mouths.  We do not need to be afraid because God is with us and will empower us to fulfil the purpose for which we were created, that He may be glorified and praised forever.  All the work God's calls us to is far beyond our ability and comprehension because it is God's work.  If we think ourselves sufficient for the labour and able to endure by our strength, we will falter and fail.  Yet when we look to Jesus Christ we will find our strength renewed, for our life is in Him.  There are many good works God has created us to do, and the first is to believe and trust Him.

The Touch of Jesus

"And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed."  Immediately the leprosy left him."

Luke 5:12-13

Leprosy was a death sentence which ostracised and disfigured its victims without any hope of cure.  This man who is described as being "full of leprosy" sounds to be an advanced case.  Though he was an outcast and unclean under Law, Jesus was willing to touch and heal the leper who placed his faith in Him.  Jesus responded to the man's request and instantly he was made whole.

It is amazing how at the touch of Jesus "immediately the leprosy left him."  The disease instantly departed, similar to demons Jesus cast out of those afflicted.  Who would have believed such a thing was possible?  At least two people:  Jesus and the man full of leprosy.  I wonder if we - and I mean Christians - believe in the power of Jesus to heal, deliver, and make whole like this man did.  Oh, we know Jesus can heal, but we are not convinced He is willing so we do not ask.  We may not be willing, as this man did, fall on his face before the LORD and publicly proclaim his need.  He could have remained resigned to his hopeless condition, yet he looked to Jesus in faith.

How often we can tolerate or endure what Jesus came to deliver us from:  our sinful desires, selfishness, pride, worry, and fear.  I do not believe Jesus came to remove every affliction from us (seeing He has left us in a body of flesh in a world of sin), but He brings hope of a new life.  Afflictions move us to realise our need for divine aid.  He was righteous and in many ways afflicted, and a servant is not above his master.  May God renew our faith in the power and love of Jesus Christ!  He is willing to do more than strengthen us to manage but to overcome.  We might be laid low with physical or mental illness, yet Jesus stands ready to touch and revive us.  He delights to do so even when we doubt and forget He is our Saviour.

Jesus is willing, but are we willing to come to seek Him?  That is the question we must honestly answer.  When we lack the strength to come to Him, know He has already come.  He stands at the door and knocks, imploring we open to Him.  All day long Jesus opened His arms to the nation Israel so they might be gathered to Him, for they were as sheep without a shepherd.  They were not willing:  what makes us think we are any different?  Maybe it took this man being full of leprosy so he might humble himself before his Maker, and God allows many trials and difficulties which seem evil and painful to accomplish His good purposes.  Let us rejoice in our God who is willing to touch sinners so we might be made whole.