Scriptural Foundation:
Psalm 51:1-3 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin! For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me.
Psalm 73:12-14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
Behold, these are the ungodly, who always prosper and are at ease in the world; they increase in riches. Surely then in vain have I cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been smitten and plagued, and chastened every morning.
Reflection:
As it gets nicer outside, smells become more prevalent, good and bad. I love taking a deep breath of freshly cut flowers. At the same time, I can’t stand an unidentified smell from an unclear source. The latter disturbs my peace and sends me on a hunt to extricate the assault on my nostrils. Can you relate?
The same is true, as we become more diligent concerning to the things of God. The way we conduct ourselves gives off an “aroma”, good and bad. Once we have committed ourselves to Christ, we become living epistles unto the Lord. We can smell like a flower bed of roses or a stinky sock at the bottom of a hamper. It is a daily choice and a lifetime obligation. The Lord promises to wash and cleanse us, when we come to Him with a repenting heart.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
– Psalm 103:12(NKJV)
However, sometimes we don’t want to be cleansed from certain fleshly comforts (i.e. someone that has deeply hurt us) and believe we can bury it enough that others (other Believers) won’t notice. Wrong… The Bible says:
Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17(NKJV)
A part of our obligation to the Lord is to stay humble and advise our brothers and sisters in the Lord in love. The key is that all things are done in love.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. – 1 Corinthians 13:1
The only way are we going to be better warriors for the Kingdom of God is to call each other out, when things don’t “smell” right. That could be the words that are coming out of your mouth when you are talking about a challenging situation or a pattern of behavior you maybe repeating – trying to put off a decision that needs to be made. Sin comes in many forms. I must remind myself often that the Bible was written for the Believer, not to condemn, but the protect us. In my mind’s eye, I always thought when the Bible mentioned fools it was talking about the non-believer. It wasn’t until it came to me, what would a non-believer be doing studying the Bible. God is calling us fools, when we have miss the mark(sin)..ouch. Sometimes the truth hurts, but done as the Lord leads, will yield harvest and huge blessing in your life and the lives of others around you.
So, in our second foundation scriptures, when the Word calls out the ungodly, He is calling out the ungodly/fleshly behavior of the Saints…insert shock emoji! We have brothers and sisters in the Lord that don’t seem to be taking seriously the awesome responsibility of carrying our own crosses.
Then He(Jesus) said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [daily, and follow Me. – Luke 9:23
These individuals’ lives seem to be perfect, while we silently struggle with our spiritual short comings. The Bible says that we will know them by their fruit (Matthew7:15-20). If their lives, seem “insolated” as it relates to their blessing, more than likely they are short cutting the potential of God’s harvest through their hands. This is one example of many of half-washed Saints. To the other extreme, are the individuals that do things to get acknowledged.
“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the [hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. – Matthew 6:16-18
In his book, How to Deal with the Cares of this Life, Charles Cowan states: “Whatever is ungodly, or unlike God, is carnal.” Again, ouch! The Lord promises to wash us as white as snow, but we have a part to play in that process. Are we going to allow, Him full access in all things and in all areas or are we going to walk around half-washed?
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- Be honest with yourself, are their areas in your life that are half-washed.
- List those areas.
- Reflect on the reason(s) for each item.
- As the Lord leads, find yourself an accountability partner – one that can keep it real (in love).
- Revisit your list often and watch that list whittled away under the power of the Lord.