Clean
Ezekial 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
So, what is it about that dirt that’s so appetizing? And, what’s so thrilling about playing on the edge of the cliff? Why would anyone go out and offer themselves as target practice for terrorists, even putting a nice big bull’s eye over the heart to help them out? It might have been funny in a cartoon, but who would ever consider offering their perfectly functional and normal brain for experimental, open skull surgery? What would be so enticing about swimming in shark, parasite, or piranha infested water, even on a very hot and muggy day? And, what might be so appealing about playing with the pigs in the mud, even though they are considered to be one of the brightest animals and have movies made about them and stuff?
Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, eh? It might be cool and dressed up with frosting all over it, but if sin could really be seen for what it is, the filthy, life destroying substance of death it is, how could it ever be embraced, defended, or sought after? Put it under a microscope and see what it’s really made of and what it’s up to and it might not be quite so popular.
I worked for a few weeks one summer at a feed lot, a place where a large number of cattle are kept in many pens and fattened up for their ultimate end. It’s one of those places that you are aware of by its aroma even before it is seen. The corrals are full of corn that has passed through the creatures’ systems and it is quite necessary to use rubber boots to wade through the stuff. One thing I noticed about working there all day long was that you could almost get to the place where you didn’t notice the smell. Well, it didn’t have the vomit inducing affect as it once did. If, however, you were to attempt entry to any dining places or public gatherings after that long day of work, you were sure to get some offended looks from those that hadn’t been with you through your desensitization. What had once just been on the ground and in the air was now all over you and producing a very objectionable stench. However dulled the senses, though, it was so wonderful to finally feel the water of the shower beating down on your whole body, removing the dust that was really just a dried powdered version of what we had waded through.
Initially quite offensive to the innocent spirit, the filth of sin can get to the place that it really isn’t noticed too much anymore. Words of offense and profanity are quickly and easily spoken, where at one time they were unacceptable. Partaking of temple destroying substance becomes second nature and even habitual as the body begins to demand the very thing that ensures its demise. Images that once brought a blush and turned head are looked upon with intensity even though they are instilling a lasting and harmful imprint upon the memory and heart.
There is a cleansing stream, though, that can remove the putrid substance of death and return to innocence and wholeness the damaged and guilty heart. For all those who will but enter the shower of worship, where the holy Lord is honored, revered, and served there will be an exposure of any destructive presence and it will be completely disabled from inflicting its offensive smells. In the light of God’s glory and love all that is disruptive and filthy will be seen for what it really is. Embrace of those damaging ways, thoughts, and habits will be released in the pure waters of His holiness, and the good that we were designed for will be given its health and freedom to produce and live unhindered by the chains of sin.
When seen for what sin really is, why would anyone not want to take a shower- get clean.
Ezekial 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
