Purified

I have never given much thought to the word “purified” before. I am smart enough to know that if you around someone with an infectious cough or the flu, you should spray Lysol all around to kill any germs that might be lingering.  I do carry a little pump bottle of hand sanitizer in my truck. There are times after showing property or touching the doorknobs of a dirty house that I want to feel like my hands are germ free. I don’t think it’s the same as a good hand washing with soap and warm water, but there are times it just has to work until I can get to the soap and water.

Part of the law, rules and instructions for the people included purification rituals. I came across one this morning that I thought was a bit overkill. When a woman became pregnant and gave birth there was a purification ritual. I have been present at the birth of 4 of my five kiddos. I am aware that there are parts of childbirth where the blood the mom is present. The Lord required a time of purification as well as two offerings. Check this out…

⁶ “When the time of purification is completed for either a son or a daughter, the woman must bring a one-year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a purification offering. She must bring her offerings to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle. ⁷ The priest will then present them to the Lord to purify her. Then she will be ceremonially clean again after her bleeding at childbirth. These are the instructions for a woman after the birth of a son or a daughter. (Leviticus 12:6-7 NLT)

This is another one of those instances where I’m thankful for Jesus coming to earth and becoming the final sacrifice needed for sin and for purification. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit of God can dwell directly inside my heart. I’m thankful that every time I sin, I don’t have to go look for a priest to confess my sin to. I can simply talk to the Lord anytime; anywhere.

I do spend time talking to the Lord a good bit about my sin. He knows my thoughts and that is where a lot of sin struggle is. I do sometimes have trouble with my actions and activities as well. My sin is mostly hidden from plain sight. I’m so thankful for the purification and forgiveness that Jesus brought to the world. I don’t deserve forgiveness, but I have been forgiven. I deserve the punishment of death, but instead, I’m given not just life – eternal life.

The purification that I constantly need is not really physical as much as it is spiritual. If you were to see me and speak to me, you may not know that I need purification today, but the Lord knows that I need Him every day of my life. I need more than hand sanitizer, I need my heart sanitized and purified as well.

Pressing On!

Dwayne