I have had an extremely busy and eventful week and it reflected in my not writing any blog posts practically all week. One of the many things I did this week was to travel within the country. It was a very hectic and tiring experience but richly rewarding too.
On one particular day, the activity levels went through the roof. We travelled by air and then covered several miles by road on the same day. We visited places I never knew existed throughout my lifetime and it culminated in my settling down in a hotel room for the night.
Anyone who saw me that day would have struggled to believe the bevy of activities I had just experienced. In particular, I looked just as clean and fresh on the outside as the moment I stepped out of the shower at the very start of my hectic day. How wrong you would have been!
The moment I stepped into the shower and started scrubbing myself, my eyes travelled down to the base of the white bath tub, as it contrasted with the bath water that was running off my body. It was quite dirty if I’m being honest. The water was discoloured by the dust and dirt that had covered my skin from all my exposure to the dusty roads and thick jungle that characterised the countryside I visited.
The dirt on my skin was invisible to the naked eye. It took a combination of the water from the shower and my scrubbing, to get rid of the dirt. Why am I boring you with all this? The moment I saw the dirty bath water, I also realised that this was the very same thing that happens to us spiritually. We may look clean on the outside, not realising how tainted we might have become due to sin but the moment we allow ourselves to be washed by the water of the word, we start to see the dirty bath water running off our bodies.
Sometimes we think we’ve ‘got it’ as Christians. Sometimes we think we’ve arrived. Sometimes we think we are better than others. Sometimes we overestimate ourselves. This is why we should spend quality time washing ourselves clean with the word of God. Nothing reveals the true state of our hearts like the Word of God and His Spirit. Together, they make the most effective cleaning Agents in the entire universe.
to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. – Ephesians 5:26
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. – John 3:5
I can totally relate with that experience bro both physically and spiritually.
Jesus said, “sanctify them by thy word, thy word is truth.” In this decadent world, it is impossible not to pick up dirt without the sanctification that God’s word provides. We often think we’ve got it made but the experience of being born again only allows us to begin the journey, it is not the destination. Paul said, “I do not consider myself to have arrived…” It is a daily need and if we even allow ourselves to drift a little bit, we will find ourselves where we do not want to be. Thank God we do not have to depend on ourselves but on Him, because the battle intensifies when we come out of darkness into light.
Hidden in your post is also the need to not judge by the outward appearance. We need the Spirit that allows us to see beyond what is obvious in ourselves and people we deal with considering Satan presents himself as an angel, of light. Discernment of spirits is such a needed gift today…
Hi Tolu! Apologies for the late reply. Thanks so much for your comment. You’re so right in saying we cannot judge by outward appearances. We certainly live in times when we need the gift of discernment of spirits in full flow. Too many disguised angels of light are parading the Church today. His word divides between soul and spirit. A powerful two-edged sword that we must continue to wield daily. Thanks bro
Hi Watchman, good to see a Post from you again, like you I have had a very busy week, I had hoped to work on my Power points but I need to be rested to do this and I have had too many interuptions, perhaps like you I will take some time off, Ron is also very busy but this is nothing new.
The Scriptures tell us Jesus is the way, The Truth and the Life and He is the Living Word , we have to die to ourselves, our flesh must be put to death we need God’s wisdom and to Trust Jesus to reveal His Truth to us with the conformation of the Scriptures.
Romans 6:5-7 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
1 Peter 1: 1-25 ( 23 ) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
Romans 2:7-9 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Christian Love Anne.
Sorry for the late reply Anne! I hope you got to do your powerpoints in the end. Thanks as always for your rich comments. It’s always a blessing when you share what the Holy Spirit has taught you. I particularly like this scripture you shared: 1 Peter 1: 1-25 ( 23 ) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. – Our reborn spirits are actually incorruptible because they have the nature of God in them. It is the spirit that is willing but the flesh is weak. As we put that flesh to death everyday, the spirit man gradually gains control over our soul as we become more like Christ each day. Thanks so much for sharing Anne.
The moment we think we’ve arrived is a very dangerous moment. Even Jesus said, “don’t call me ‘good,’ no one is good except the Father.” Life itself is an endless school. I remember back in secondary school where we thought we knew everything, and alas we grew up and found out we didn’t know a thing about life. It’s the same today, those who are older still know so much that we don’t know. Plus we keep finding new insights into the never-ending wealth of God’s word.
Great reflection. Thanks for this
Sorry Jennifer but I feel the need to correct you, I hope you can accept it as it is motivated for Love and in Love. You have misquoted Scripture and so have come to a wrong conclusion, sadly so have others. .. Jesus said…..
Matthew19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Jesus was asking a Question, why were they calling Him good, did they know He was one with the Father. If Jesus was not good and had sinned, He could never have been our Sacrifice, in this Scripture He was refering to Himself as being part of The Godhead or Trinity as They are known today, by saying only God is good because They are One.
If you want to know God’s Truth Jennifer then you need to ask for His wisdom, whithout it we can be deceived by our own understanding or others.
Christian Love Anne.
Hi Jennifer. You’re so right in noting that one great danger in life is thinking we have arrived. There is always something to learn and keeping a teachable spirit will profit us greatly. You mentioned that the wealth of God’s word is never ending. That is so true. Meditating on just one verse alone can take years to exhaust the gems packed within it, not to talk of the entirety of His word. Its mind boggling to say the least. God bless you Jennifer
Amen! Amen! Thank you, Chidi.
Thanks for reading Natalie!
Loved the analogy of this post! Thank you for sharing watchman…Many, many blessings to you..Robin
You’re welcome Robin. Thanks so much for reading. Glad you enjoyed it