Have you thought how to lead a Christian life?
1. Our physical cleansing: In 1 Thessalonians 4: 3-5, we read, 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;.
When we hear the word of God there is cleansing of the soul. But not for all. Some are not affected by it no matter how much they read or hear the word of God. It does not filter inside them. Just like regular rainfall makes land fertile and the harvest yield is great. When we regularly read and hear the word of God, our minds and hearts are cleansed of all impurities.
Hebrews 6:7-8, 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. But if the land produces thorns, it is of no use and should be burned. We should move away from the path of sin and temptation. For God wants us to live a pure life. 1 Thessalonians 4: 7-8,7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3: 16-17, 16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. We should always remember one thing that the Bible says, When we move closer to God, Satan also tries to move closer to us. Job 1: 8,8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” When God Himself spoke about Job in this manner, Satan challenges God and Satan punishes Job to make him turn against God. In the same way, did the Father proclaim about His own son, Matthew 3: 17, 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.”Satan was courageous enough to put temptations before the Son of God. But how can we, weak and sinful stand up to Satan?? There are temptations of various kinds, first in the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve; Jesus in the desert and now finally us, all the believers in the world.
The various temptations come in the form of good food, which calls upon our bodily needs and worldly desires. Even Jesus was tempted in the desert to turn stones to bread. Next, it tries to lure us with things pleasing to the eyes which call upon the desire of the eyes and then the body. Jesus was tempted saying that the world is yours. Then we have a hunger for power which even Jesus faced as Satan said, You will not die, and will be like God to Eve. In Matthew 4: 5, we read of the temptation of Jesus, 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Jesus defeated and crossed the temptations. We can also win victory over Satan through the one who loves us. Romans 8: 37, 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Mark 14:38, 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
2.Spiritual cleansing: Spiritual cleansing happens with 1. Repentance; 2. Confession; 3. Experiencing Holy Communion, Leviticus 19: 1-2, The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. In Luke 7:37, we read about the sinful woman. The woman repents from her sinful ways. She was detested by the whole society and was labeled sinful by them. She wet the feet of Lord Jesus with her tears and wiped them with her hair. So just think how much did she repent and cry to be able to wet his feet. Along with washing the feet of Jesus, she also washed her heart. She saved her life and soul from destruction. Even the robber at the cross realized his faults and sinful living and asks for forgiveness. He knew he deserved his punishment, Isaiah 43:25, 25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. And the Heavenly Father lovingly forgives us. He is waiting for us to repent and return to Him, John 14:15-17, 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Blessed are the weak in spirit. There is no one as weak as a sinner. Weak are aware of their situation and do not feel shameful to plead for help for themselves before the Father. Revelation 3: 17-20,
17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. We the sinful are pitiful and only Lord can protect us.
1 John 1:9, 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Would you beg to the saviour to fill you with the Holy Spirit and purify you??
3. Blessed are the pure in heart, Matthew 5:8, 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. The Bible says about the human heart,
Jeremiah 17:9, 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Jeremiah 4:14, ….wash the evil from your heart and be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts?
Father calls upon us to wash our sins and cleanse ourselves. The pure in heart are called the children of God. The kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
4. Do not make idols and worship, Leviticus 19:4,4 “‘Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God. Give the first place and priority to the Father in your life. Ezekiel 14:3, 3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? Who has priority in your life?? Money? Power? Property? Beauty?Children? Worship should be inside our hearts and not that of an idol. Galatians 6:6-7, 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Ephesians 4:4-7, 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
It is time now to think who is it that you have placed in your hearts and worshiping?? Jesus? Or worldly desires?
Jehovah Roi 