"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God " 2 Corinthians 7:1.
God's earnest expectation from every of His likeness from the Old Testament dispensation till the very present New Testament dispensation has been that everyone maintains his/her body in cleanliness (body cleanliness and purity of the heart). Body cleanliness is the act of maintaining good hygiene that gives anyone the needed confident to being around people without causing unnecesary irritation. While heart cleanliness is the sacred condition of the heart which makes it convenient for the Holy Spirit to reside, produce fruit needed to live peacefully with all men and walk with God. Jesus said, " Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" Matthew 5:8.
The heart of man is where all sorts of evil emanate, "for from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deciet, lasciviousness, evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness" Mark 7:21-22. "Cleanliness is next to Godliness", Yes, of course, if the heart is holy. A backslidden Christian (with harlotry or gay outlook) may look clean to men on the outside but filthy in the sight of God. An unbeliever who believes in using water to wash his face, secrets, hands and legs to appear holy before God during prayers is only being religious as water cannot wash away sins. A sinner who smells nice and look clean in the sight men is a stinky being in the sight of God. God is Almighty and knows everything that is going inside the hearts of men. The question is, " can the heart of sinners be made clean"? Yes, of course.
The picture above shows the heart of a man which in the time past was an abode of various animals depicting various sins (pig - gluttony and drunkenness; peacock - pride of life; leopard - hot temper and hatred; frog - greediness; snake - deceitfulness; tortoise - laziness; goat - immoralities). The man's conscience was steered up by the word of God to repent of his sins and filthiness. He believed in Jesus and asked him to take the Lordship of his heart. Jesus cleansed his heart through his attorney blood. The man began to grow from salvation unto sanctification through obedience to the word of God. And from sanctification unto Holy Spirit baptism through his utmost desire to be used of God. The man's heart finally became the abode of the word of God and the Holy Spirit; which was too clean to house any evil imagination.
Dear reader, is your heart an abode of the word of God and the Holy Spirit? Does your outward appearance glorify God and attract sinners to the Kingdom of Heaven? If yes, you shall see God after your pilgrim journey on earth. If no, you can take the cleansing steps of faith as illustrated from the heart of man.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and and call to holiness. I believe in the cleansing power tof the precious blood of Jesus. Have mercy upon all me sins and deliver me from every filthiness of the heart. Save me, purify my heart, and grant me the grace to make my heart a permanent abode of your word and Holy Spirit in Jesus' Name. Amen
MORE GRACE TO CONTINUE IN NEW LIFE
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