Way To A Clean HeartSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: The blood of Jesus Christ alone can cleanse the sins, lusts, bad thoughts and guilty feelings of evil deeds that settle in our hearts. It is for this reason that Jesus was crucified. Look at the life of our gracious Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says that He walked on this earth as a 'Redeemer'. Prophet Isaiah describes Jesus seven hundred years before His birth, "The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob," says the Lord" (Isaiah 59:20). And just as he prophesied, did not the Lord come as a Redeemer to this world?
He did not rebuke the people who lived in sin. When a woman caught in adultery was brought to Him, He said, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more" (John 8:11). He wholeheartedly forgave the people who lived in sin. Jesus said to the man who was paralysed, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you" (Matthew 9:2). Wherever He went, He forgave people of their sins and redeemed them back to a life of hope. Of all the miracles that Jesus does, the most significant one is the transformation of people's heart.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)
To change such a deceitful heart is nearly impossible. We see many people today who repeatedly rob and go to jail, and still do not change at heart when they come out. Once a man was released from prison after he had undergone imprisonment for a series of thefts and murder. The day he was released, he 'kidnapped' a squirrel from the jail. He said jokingly, "Alas, the urge to steal has not left me even at the time of coming out of prison."
This is man's nature. But what a transformation when one comes to Christ! When we come to our gracious Lord Jesus, He cleanses us from our sins with His blood.
"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
Regarding this, Hebrews 1:3, portrays beautifully, "Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
The Bible says that He made way for our sanctification.
A tax collector, considered to be a sinner by the people, went to the temple. He did not have the heart to even enter the temple. He stood afar, not daring to raise his head towards heaven but beating his breast cried out, "God be merciful to me, a sinner!" The Lord made him a righteous man in a second. Our gracious Lord Jesus testifies concerning him, "I tell you this man went down to his house justified" (Luke 18:13,14). He rose from the dead to make us righteous. He is alive even today and forever.
Many years ago, when I went to the United States of America for the first time, my friend took me to a place by car. I hesitated to get into that car because the car was full of dust and dirt. Immediately my friend said, "Brother, I park my car on the road. I do not find time to clean my car. We will get it cleaned on the way." Finally we reached a gas station, where in one place was written 'Car Wash'. My friend drove his car to that place. I asked him, "Shall I get out of the car?" My friend replied, "No brother, you can just remain inside." Saying this he fastened all the windowpanes and doors, and the car was taken to a particular spot. That's it. Water was sprayed from all sides on the car. In a few seconds, the car was brushed clean. I was astonished on seeing the car after that. It was so clean!
My dear friend, we do many things to clean our exterior. But the blood of Jesus Christ alone can cleanse our sins, lusts, bad thoughts and guilty feelings of evil deeds that settle in our hearts. It is for this reason that Lord Jesus was crucified. His pure blood will cleanse us when we bow down at His feet and say, "Lord, I am a sinner! Forgive my sins and cleanse me." He can do this to you because He is alive even today.
Prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus,
Though my life looks clean to everyone outside, I know that my heart is full of evil. By myself, I can do nothing to cleanse it. Lord, pour Your blood upon me and wash me clean. Make me spotless and sinless, as Your child. I commit myself to share Your love and the message of salvation to all my friends. Take care of all my thoughts and desires; let them all be according to Your will. I thank You for answering my prayer.
Amen. |