Clean, or Just Not as Dirty

I am amazed at how the Lord speaks to us. He can communicate to us in the most random and obscure ways. Here is an example from my life. I was getting ready for people to come over for Bible study and decided to tidy up a bit. So I got out the mop and kind of mopped the floor. I say kind of because I didn't use cleaner I just used water. Then I noticed a little spot on our atrocious carpet so I got out the spot cleaner, sprayed it on the spot and beyond and wiped it up. Neither floor surface was really clean, just not as dirty. I began to think how that statement reflects my life and those who are Christ followers.  I claim clean, I desire clean, I strive for clean, but I end up settling for just not as dirty. I compromise my "quiet time" by just reading a passage before bed. Pray general "cover" prayers or no prayers at all simply because I am lazy. I can come up with many other examples that depict my “just not as dirty” lifestyle, but I would rather dredge up ones that I know others struggle with. Can a Christian drink alcohol, can they smoke tobacco, get tattoos, cuss, acquire expensive materials possessions, ride a Harley, view porn, be fanatical over a sports team, the list is exhaustive.  The Lord tells us, "be holy for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16). He doesn't tell us to settle for mediocre, to compromise His integrity, be lazy, or blend in with the world so much so that it doesn’t recognize the Holy God who dwells within. In contrast, aren’t we under grace and not the law? Shouldn’t we strive for "spiritual tolerance" where all the rules are subjective? Doesn’t Paul tell us that we have freedom to do whatever we want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone? Yes, there is some truth to that, but when you compare it to a Holy God, when you bring it in the light of scripture, that mindset is “just not as dirty”. Paul declares, "I have the right to do anything," you say—but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"—but not everything is constructive. Paul also tells us that if a said behavior causes a weaker believer to stumble then we shouldn’t participate in the activity or behavior. (1 Cor. 8:9) We error when we try to compare thoughts and behaviors to what is socially acceptable instead of what is biblically true. A pre-christian is not going to be drawn to Christ because we smoke cigars, are inked, cuss and view the latest rated R movie. They will if they ride a Harley (ok, that last line was just to see if you are awake). People are drawn to Christ because of His manifestation in and through us. Light shines in darkness, you can’t illuminate someone by just showing them more darkness.  When our lives reflect Jesus biblically it communicates differently to a broken world then when we just portrait brokenness to broken people. There is no healing, salvation, hope in that. Jesus in referring to how we are to live as salt and light said, In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. We mistake relevance for tolerance and compromise failing to acknowledge the holiness and righteousness that is our God.

People long for "clean" but often settle for “just not as dirty”. We wonder why people aren't attracted to Christ, we give them such a watered down and tainted view of Him it is no wonder they reject Him and His church. So for those of us who are trying to live black and white in a gray world, we must be more biblically wise, Holy Spirit sensitive, and Christ’s body operating. We need to dictate culture instead of having the culture dictate what a follower of Christ is to live like. Don’t settle for “just not as dirty” but as a pure bride that is without spot or blemish, “clean” and daily being changed into the image of our Lord Jesus.

Questions to Consider

1.    What area in your life is “just not as dirty” and what needs to change to live “clean”?

2.    What shapes your relationship to Christ, the bible or the Christian sub-culture?

3.    How can you live more biblically? What would that look like for you?

4.    How can you life Matthew 5:16? Be specific.