THINK" SERIES: PART 9 - "WHATEVER IS PURE"

 THINK BIBLICALLY - #5

 " Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things". (Philippians 4:8)

For decades in America, Ivory Soap was considered the purest soap in the market, for sale to anyone. Of course, it was not actually 100% pure. There is no such thing. Ivory was sold as 99 44/100% pure. Today, organic and homemade soaps lack any chemical impurities and may claim the same - pure.

The Scriptural exhortation in our key verse - Phil. 4:8 - is even more intensely pure than the most natural soap which can make the physical clean. The Biblical Greek word for "pure" is hagios which has a distinctive meaning. It is not just to be free from sin, impure thoughts and conduct, or just plain innocent, but to be free from defilement. You and I may think we do not defile God or ourselves. So what does that even mean?

Actually, Jesus Himself told us! He says in Matthew Chapter 15. He says two important things about what defiles a man (person). In Verse 11, Jesus says "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”

Even if people say the first thing that comes to their heads, they will still have to briefly consider that thought. In verse 15, Jesus is talking about a thought that is NOT good, which will defile the person.

Then, a few verses later, He got even more specific and scary. Scary in the sense of this: we had better pay attention to our thoughts, even if we consider ourselves above the fray and free from all evil. Jesus says in Verses 18-20a "Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man."

But there is more to it than that. Not everyone walks around with the thoughts that Jesus describes above.  Maybe at one time, we violated every one of those sins. But there are thoughts that we cannot control that invade our minds at the most inopportune time, especially when we are praying!

Many of us prayer warriors remember this one - we would be deep in prayer and boom! Out of the blue, a completely unrelated worldly thought comes across our minds and threatens to almost disconnect our conversation with our Heavenly Father. We do have the power within us, due to being born-again and indwelled with the Spirit of Christ, to cast that thought out and get back on track!

There is no Christian who ever lived, who has never had that happen to them in prayer. So keep control of the narrative. Stay in the Scriptures. The evil one, the devil and accuser of the brethren's job is to take our joy, our journey with Jesus and the fact that we are joint heirs with Christ - away from us. 

Keep your mind on Christ. Keep praying to Him and staying away from disputes, indiscretions and even disgusting people. Focus on the good of anything - food, nature, your co-workers, your family, God!  The more you fellowship with the good, the easier it is to maintain a good, clean heart and one that will be open to what the Lord is doing today in your life. Amen

Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus, I thank You that through it all, you were with us even in the depths of our depravity. Even in our depraved thoughts, words, and deeds. But You saved us. You pulled us out of the muck and the mire and put a new song in our hearts. A hymn of praise to our God - You, oh Lord, our Heavenly Father and King Jesus the Savior. Thank You again, Lord, and keep working in us, to make us more like You, in Spirit and in Truth, in Jesus' Strong Name amen. 

Image Credit: Free Christian Illustrations

HOLY WEEK ACTION POINTS - THURSDAY

SERVE ONE ANOTHER AS HE SERVED US

While Wednesday was a day of preparation and relaxation for the King of Kings, it was the calm before the storm of the Day before Passover...and the Crucifixion! Four major events took place on this final Thursday (or Maundy Thursday) of our Lord's earthly Life.


Here are the Four Major Events in Order:
1. The Institution of Communion, and the New Covenant.
2. The Washing of the Disciples' Feet.
3. The High Priestly Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and His Agony (John 17).
4. The Betrayal of Jesus by the treacherous Judas.


Of these, the Washing of the Disciples Feet stands as a summation of WHY Jesus came to live and die as the humble, Suffering Servant. Anyone accustomed with Middle Eastern customs know that anything to do with feet - from shoes and sandals to washing dusty, dirty feet is the domain of the lowest of slaves.


Yet, here was the Creator of Everything in the Universe, on the ground with a basin of water, washing the same feet of sinful men. Of these men, one would sell Him out to be killed, one would deny Him three times, the rest would run for the hills and only one would stand up with Him on the Day of His murder - the Apostle John!!!!


In spite of everything, Jesus kept His Focus on WHY He came to earth. That mission of the Incarnation was to save Mankind and wash Him clean by the Blood shed on the Cross. This dying world will never understand or know the God Who would lower Himself from His Eternal Throne to do such a thing, but we do.


But it was not just the fact that the Foot-washing symbolized our Sins being Washed Clean by His Perfect Supernatural Blood, it was more! This was a demonstration of the type of people we will have to be, in order to be considered Children of the King. He or she never stands taller when we are our knees before Him, serving others.


By this act, we are called to put the needs of others ahead of ours. We are called to be Christ-like and tell others our testimony of How Jesus washed us of our own sins and why those, whom we serve like this, need to stop acting like Peter and allow such a washing. We are called to tell them that no one will enter the Kingdom of Our Lord, unless he/she accepts this gift from the Lord Jesus and are cleansed by His Blood.


Twenty years ago, while I was still a part of the Catholic church and a servant at the oldest cathedral in Hartford, Connecticut, I was part of a select group chosen by the head pastor of St. Patricks-St. Anthony's, Fr. Jerry Massimino, to have my feet washed on Holy Thursday night during Mass. I will never forget this privilege! While I am no longer a catholic, but an evangelical minister, it was awe-inspiring and humbling...and completely incredible, that a guy like me would be part of this ceremony, which the Lord instituted, right after He gave us the New Covenant In His Blood!


ACTION POINTS:
- Are you willing to wash someone's foot as an act of pure humility?
- Are you willing to study the following passage and then write down what it means and how you can apply it to your own life, in His Service?
- Are you willing to share with someone else, in the next two weeks, what it means to be washed by the Blood of the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the World?

THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THURSDAY BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION:

JOHN 13:


Jesus washes the Disciples' Feet
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 
Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (Verses:3-17 ESV)

MATTHEW 26:

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

26 vNow as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and wafter blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; xthis is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he yhad given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for xthis is my zblood of the3 covenant, which is poured out for amany bfor the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you cin my Father’s kingdom.”

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

30 dAnd when they had sung a hymn, ethey went out to fthe Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will gstrike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, hI will go before you to Galilee.” 33 iPeter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 jJesus said to him,“Truly, I tell you, this very night, kbefore the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 lPeter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

36 mThen Jesus went with them eto a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 

(image by google)