Staying Clean and Holy
Shower to Shower
Today's writing is one of those that is mostly scripture, which I hope you think is good. When we have a thought and take the time to think about it as it relates to God's word, the scripture always brings clarity to the thought.
This thought began entirely from the picture of the vessels above. As I looked at the vessels I wondered if they were full or empty, clean or dirty inside. By looking at the outside it is kind of hard to see how clean or full the inside is.
I, of course, related this to us as Christians. When we only look at the outer appearance of others, are we able to see how clean the inside is? More importantly, when others (the world) look at our outer appearance are they able to see how clean the inside is? Do we display the fullness and holiness of God?
Sometime when I am feeling just a little distant from God, when He seems a million miles away, I honestly don't feel too full or holy. But, when He comes in and fills this vessel, this temple, with His Spirit, with His goodness; when He showers me with His mercy, love, and compassion, it is an unexplainable feeling of His fullness and holiness.
Now this vessel I know is clean even when it is kind of empty on the inside, waiting to be filled by God. It was cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. I hope the holiness and cleanliness of this vessel shine through to others in this world whether it is full or empty. God's Word does tell us to be separate from the world, but we are to go out in the midst of it and remain clean holy vessels.
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- Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
We are His chosen temple and we are called to be holy.
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Ephesians 1:4
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According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
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I Corinthians 3:17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
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Finally, in Ephesians, we are given specific instructions as to how we are to go out in the midst of this world and keep these vessels clean and holy always ready to filled by God.
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Ephesians 5:3
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But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret
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As we are awaiting a refilling by God's Spirit, we should make sure these vessels are always clean and ready to be filled. When we take these vessels into the world, we need to be careful about what we speak, hear and see. We should always walk in His light, not in darkness. We must be careful not to defile God's temple by partaking of the things of this world, even unconsciously.