Monday, February 24, 2014
Whiter than Snow
"Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
Break down every idol, cast down every foe; Oh, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
I remember singing this at a very young age, when we had a church meeting in our living room. Interesting how those lyrics and truths come back to my mind after years and years have passed.
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
An idea that has been much on my heart lately is purity. I've written on purity. Purity is a topic that becomes more and more relevant each day we walk this earth.
Purity starts in the heart. Not in dress. Not in actions. Not in words.
But how does one have a pure heart?
Through the blood of Jesus Christ cleansing us from all sin and impurity. That is the original purifying. The blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
Purity of heart and deed directly correlates with regular time spent in God's Word. How can a young man (woman) cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word. With my whole heart have I sought Thee, oh let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I my not sin against Thee. (Psalm 119:9-11)
Keep thyself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22)
Purity of heart and mind comes from thinking on pure things. We are what we think.
Purity of heart and mind comes when we fellowship with God, walking in His light, and allow that light to shine in the dark places of our hearts and minds. When we don't allow impure thoughts to gain a foothold, but we bring them to God's purifying light. When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgives us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
So often we coddle our sins. We hide our sins. We feel that we can muscle through to victory somehow.
We end up defeated. Wallowing. Disgusted. Impure.
Seeds grow in the dark. They do. They don't grow on top of the ground where they are exposed. Only buried seeds are the ones that grow. Same with impurities and sins that we allow to fester.
All of our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked. My heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9)
He that covers his sin shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoso walks wisely shall be delivered. (Proverbs 28: 13, 26)
Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy!
Labels:
confession
,
devotional
,
God
,
light
,
purity
,
sin
,
thoughts