Today’s BRP is 1 Peter 1:22-23 (just an fyi I know that I am not a theological master mind) these are just thoughts and reflections that I have as I study and try to apply God’s word)
You have purified yourselves, by obeying the truth. A call to action! It does not say be lost in yourself, tv show, novel or games…. Purify yourselves and obey the truth. Then He states for you are born again, love one another deeply…. Again action!
We have got to stay in the word in order to be purified. Purification is not something you can buy on Amazon and have immediately. You have to work at being purified. You have to work at humbling yourself to obedience. It makes me think of the oil/tar that can get on you and stick which is like sin. We can not just say oil be gone, or wipe it off. You must methodically work to remove it to be cleansed anew. If you follow direction you will have a better chance of that oil/tar/sin to be removed. Connecting this analogy with the call to action in verse 23, our brothers and sister can help us to be cleansed, to work together for a better chance of removing the oil/tar/sin from ourselves. We can also help them as they work to be clean.
In our actual life we have an instruction manual. We need to obey it. We are called to purify ourselves through obedience, through change and change is not easy. We like being in our comfort zone and living in our comfy sin. Yet, we have to remember this life is not all about oneself it is about others. About God, Spouses, biological family and spiritual family and friends. If we do not purify ourselves we are selfish. In purifying obedience this we can see and meet the needs of others, oftentimes without foreknowledge that there is a need. What if we continue to sit on the sidelines while a brother or sister is at the end of their rope? I do not want to fail anymore of my family or friends by sitting idly whilst others around me are drowning.
I know that I have not always done what I have needed nor been obedient to the cause of Christ. But I am working to change that. I know that in the past I have helped others, I also know I have failed others for that I will ever have a scar, and shame. I am sorry to all of you that I have let down or missed an opportunity to help. I am limited now in some ways that keep me from doing certain things, but obviously God is not done with me being here on Earth. SOOO, I am seeking to be continually cleansed, to see how I, though limited, can be the hands and feet of Jesus! I know I can pray, I know that I can encourage and I know I can continue to be purified and obey. I want to be able to love others as Christ has called me.
It might be difficult to do, for you too, just remember God meets us where we are, when we seek Him and when we trust Him!
Also, remember we are to LOVE DEEPLY, that means as Christ does. Not with piety, haughtiness nor begrudging others, just because someone’s sin and fault is different than yours, sin all sin of any kind separates from God. Show compassion, grace and love to others… not to their sin, but to them. We are doing the best we can, but we can and must do better. There are family, peers and lost that are counting on each and everyone of us. Pray and ask God to show you where you need to grow, where you need to change and how to love more deeply.
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