A Clean House

I walked into the kitchen and immediately knew something wasn’t right. An odor lingered from the chicken carcass we’d thrown away. Time to take the garbage out!

Last weekend our church hosted an Encounter weekend. We listened to teaching on the forgiveness of God, on the cross of Christ and the hope of being free from our past sins. God visited us and moved powerfully. I’m so thankful He does that.

I think He was smelling some garbage. He pointed out things in my heart that were ungodly, unholy before Him. Subtle things. So, I could repent. It’s His mercy and grace to do that in our lives as we seek His face, get into His presence, take time out of our busy schedules. He wants to show us His will, if we will listen and quiet ourselves.

Life sneaks in. Darkness creeps in. If we’re not constantly pressing forward to knowing God, we will drift back. Before we know it, we’ll be cold or distant or deceived. He wants us close. Close enough to feel His heart beating with love for us and for others. Close enough for us to feel His breath on us. Close and free, serving Him by serving others. That’s His will.

He wants us free from the odor of sin, selfishness, pride, rebellion. Clean and with empty hands He can fill with good things. Pure hearts so His prayer can be fulfilled:

"Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:21, NKJV)

Matthew 5:7 tells us the pure in heart will see God.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8, NKJV)

I also want my life to be a pure fragrance before Him.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV)

Like the household chore of regularly taking out the garbage, we’ve gotta check our hearts and make sure we keep short accounts with God. (Bring our sin before Him and repent.)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NKJV)

Then we will remain clean on the inside.