“My husband scheduled window cleaners to wash the outside of our windows next week.” my friend informed me with a scowl and a raised eyebrow.
“That was nice of him, but why do you seem mad?” I asked.
“Now I have to clean the inside of them all so they won’t look so hazy!” she said sternly then broke into a big smile.
We both laughed at her joke, but it did make me start thinking – do our insides match our outsides?
As believers, we are washed clean by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice on the cross has removed the stain of our sin and left us blameless and white as snow. But what happened on the inside? Accepting His gift of salvation began our sanctification process to become holy, but that’s exactly what it is… a process!
Like the dirt on my friend’s windows, every bad decision, negative thought, hurt feeling, or poor motive we have builds up like a film in our hearts and minds. This kind of stinkin’ thinkin’ not only keeps us from shining brightly, but it can also cloud our point of view. We get so used to the presence of sin in our lives, we don’t even notice it anymore! Once the sin is removed, we are able to live transparent lives that God’s love can shine through.
The good news is that it is not up to us to make ourselves clean. Sure, we need to exercise some discipline over our thoughts and actions, but the true work of sanctification comes from God alone. He molds and shapes us into men and women whose lives glorify Him. When we allow Him access to our hearts and minds, He will wipe away the lies and the fears so we can shine brightly for Him!
Be blessed,
Jennifer
“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11b