Pure and Filled

Pure and Filled

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalms 139:23-24

Imagine being at a restaurant and ordering a really expensive and delicious dish. The food comes out of the kitchen, sizzling and filling the room with a beautiful smell. The food is put in front of you, you look down at it and realize the food is on a dirty, grimy plate. Old, dried food is still stuck and molding on the plate. It doesn’t matter how tasty the dish may be, the plate will ruin your appetite.

The same is true with Christians. We have a delicious and nourishing food to give to others- the bread of life and water of life. If we serve that food however on dirty and sinful plates, our own lives, it quickly ruins the food to those who are receiving it.

Hypocrisy is probably the greatest problem of the Christian when it comes to evangelizing. People hear messages of love, peace and joy but then see none of those attributes in the person who is sharing it.

That is why the Psalm says ‘Search me, God’ and ‘See if there is any offensive way in me’ because the psalmist knows how important it is to be clean and pure, not only for their own salvation but also in helping others with theirs.

This month, as we continue with the theme of Personal Ministries, there are two important things we have to do in preparation.

The first is to make sure that we ourselves are clean and that we are good examples when it comes to the messages and promises that we will be sharing about Jesus. That new life should be found in us.

The second is that we are filled with the spirit so that we have something truly valuable and worthy to give. We can only give what we have. We can’t be like the five unwise virgins who had lamps but not enough oil themselves to make it through the night. We should strive to have enough oil to not only fulfil our needs but also to share with others.

Both of these important points that were mentioned are wrapped up in one simple verse.

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

Ephesians 5:18

God has a mighty work ready for us to be a part of. Let us get prepared and move forward in faith.

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto