cleansing

The Greatest Miracle

“For we have made lies our refuge and under falsehood we have hidden ourselves” Isaiah 28:15

Isaiah had been observing his own nation, Israel, and was writing concerning their situation in his day. As we consider this verse we can’t help but believe that he is observing and writing concerning our own nation as it is today. He is not describing every individual in Israel because we know that God always maintains a believing remnant. We would not apply these words to every individual in our nation either because there are those who are faithful to the Lord and His word. But nationally they suit all too well.

Jesus called Satan a liar (John 8:44) and Peter discerned that Satan had moved Ananias to lie (Acts 5:3). Paul recognised that people had “exchanged the truth of God for the lie” (Romans 1:25). He also wrote that because people choose to turn away from God, God will allow them to be deceived (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

Isaiah is saying what we know to be true. People believe the lie about Jesus Christ because it comforts them in their sin. Hence, lies become our refuge, our place of safety and comfort – but only in the short-term. It is easier for a sinner to believe the lie that God does not exist and that they will not have to give account for their lives than to deal with the truth. So they take “refuge” in the lie.

Secondly we hide from the truth by peddling things that are obviously lies. This is why people believe in evolution. It gives them, in their minds, a place to resist the truth and hide from it. Anyone who does some research desiring to know the truth will discover the great falsehood of the Theory of Evolution but it is a convenient hiding place for people who do not want to face the truth.

Psalm ten reveals the three presumptuous thoughts of the person who wants to conceal in their minds the truth by embracing a lie.

  1. I am okay, I am invincible (v 6)
  2. God is not interested or is dead (v 11)
  3. I will not be held accountable to anyone for my life (v 13)

These are all lies of Satan that people all too readily embrace because they love sin and do not want to face reality. Considering the long-term consequences it is staggering that anyone would choose to take refuge in lies and present falsehoods to their own mind and soul to escape thinking about the truth but such is that nature of sin.

Those who do want to face reality will face the Lord Jesus Christ and discover that He has borne their sin on the cross and is able, therefore, to forgive all their sin and, much more, cleanse them from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). The greatest miracle of all is that God is able to bring any sinner to repentance, most of all me, but He does and still is. Hallelujah!

A Clean Mug

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

1 Timothy 1:15

We love our mugs of tea and coffee. Most of our mugs are white (or close to white) on the inside and every now and then we notice that there is a build up of stain. It isn’t a health issue and doesn’t noticeably change the flavour of the tea or coffee. It isn’t removed completely by regular washing processes. It takes something more to clean them thoroughly.

Fortunately I married well and my wife knows how to clean anything and do it to perfection. Stubborn stains cringe and wilt when they see her coming. They almost leap out of the mug at the sight of her approach with the appropriate equipment. I dare not inquire as to what is the appropriate equipment.

The next time I select a mug it is as white as it ever can be and I am glad I have someone to clean my mug of the stubborn stains.

I am also glad that I have Someone who is able to see and cleanse me of the stubborn stains of sin in the “cup” of my life.

John writes: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship One with the other, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.” And “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:5, 1 John 1:9

In some places where I have worked I have seen stains in mugs build up over several years to extreme levels and some people will still use them but not me. Perhaps they have become used to the stain. Sadly, we can also become used to the stains of sin in our lives and not realise that we are unfit for the Master’s presence or use.

Because of what Jesus Christ has done for us we are privileged to ask Him to scrutinise our lives for the stains of sin. He is well qualified to see the stains for He is without sin. He is also qualified to remove the stains of sin and He does let us know the agent of cleansing: it is His own blood shed on Calvary’s cross.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

1 John 1:7