It is a hard thing to come out of bad habits, and it is even harder to stay out of bad habits. On a spiritual note, God takes us out of sin in a moment but taking sin out of our lives takes a lifetime. Daily we need God's grace in ample supply to keep us on the narrow and disciplined path. We need JESUS to help us clean our hands and feet daily even when we have had a bath. That is why JESUS told Peter, "Those who have had baths don't need another shower but they just need to get rid of the dust that settles in every day."
There is a story that Dr. Erwin Lutzer, the senior pastor at Moody Church reminds us from time to time about a Sculptor who was sculpting an art piece of an elephant's figure. Someone asked him what he was doing; he replied, "I am chipping away all that is not an elephant and keeping all that is an elephant." Similarly, God is chipping away all that is not Jesus from our lives and keeping all that is Jesus-like. We are being conformed to the likeness of the One who alone is perfect, clean, and pure.
John 13: 5-11 "He (Jesus) riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments, and took a towel, and girded himself. After that, he poureth water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all."
It is a good practice to continually introspect and ask God what do I need to get rid of today? Maybe thought life, some speech issues, attitude, ungodly living, addictions? materialism? physically, spiritually, mentally, financially, relational, or deep within? and then request in faith: "I want to be clean, cleanse me, Lord!"
Kalpana Christian Sharma, © copyright kcswritings
