Guided thoughts again (VI)

Part of being self-employed in the business world today is that there is often a requirement for travel. I know that many peeps don't agree, but the hubs and I prefer to travel via automobile, instead of flying. We pack some foods that are OK on our diet regimen, make sure the vehicle is ready to roll, and then we hit the road! (Grin)

Once home again, it is a necessary ritual to clean up the car that we've traveled in. Life on the road means running through storms, and getting mud and crud splashed up the sides. It means being on the receiving end of bug splatters on the front, and so the bumper and grille need special attention.

You see, if those stains and splatters are left on the paint, they will actually harm it. Don't ask me to explain the chemical interactions, or the breaking down of the process, but it can happen. Stains can become permanent, and even pitted areas can appear. Pitted places in the paint can grow in size and become easily apparent.  A good high-speed polish can help those, even though in actuality, a thin layer of paint is being removed. (Ouch!)

Are y'all getting my drift?
Or, to put it another way, are you getting what the Spirit wants us to see in this picture?

As we Christians go through life, we often go through storms and mud. We get splashed with dirt and crud, and even the telltale signs of sin. We are in this world, and there's not much way to avoid all of this. Splatters of temper, or pitted places from harsh words. Even splashes of jealousy, of unforgiving spirit, or of slothfulness, or maybe of willful sin.

Oy vey.
Is it time for a good scrubbing?
Does the Spirit need to give us a good cleaning?
You know what will happen if that stuff stays around . . .

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (Hebrews 12:15)

Bitterness and jealousy can "grow" and hurt many people.

But your iniquities have separated    you from your God;your sins have hidden his face from you,    so that he will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood,    your fingers with guilt.
Your lips have spoken falsely,    and your tongue mutters wicked things. (Isaiah 59:2-3)

Sin keeps us from having that close and sweet relationship with our Father.

And how are we to know how much we sin? Is there anyone who is truly aware of how sinful we are? Human nature is so strong in us, still, and it's not just the faults we know about, but the ones we don't know, too. It's not just the sins we hide from others, but the ones that we don't see or recognize yet as sins.

But who can discern their own errors?    Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins;    may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,    innocent of great transgression. (Psalm 19:12-13)

Quick! Where's the soap, and the water? God made provision for us .....

Have mercy on me, O God,    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion    blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity    and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 51:1-2)

Our Father can reveal our sins to us through the Holy Spirit, and God will not just reveal but He will cleanse and restore us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)

Amen!