Clean and Pure

Many believers are frustrated. They read the Bible and hear about spiritual riches. They hear stories about miracles and people who have experienced God’s power and have an intimate relationship with Him. To many, this just sounds too good to be true. Others wonder why they can’t move into this deeper level or experience these riches for themselves.

Many times, their path is blocked by sin. For sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) and blocks our prayers (Psalms 66:18). But everything changes when we enter God’s presence with “clean hands and a pure heart” and as we humble ourselves and repent of our sins.

This is true for every believer. The fact is that we all sin. This Greek word literally means “to miss the mark.” We “miss the mark” many times and many ways each day! Jesus knows that we all make mistakes. This is why He taught asking for forgiveness as part of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12).

But we need to do more than just ask for forgiveness, we also need to repent. The Greek word here literally means “to think differently.” It means we genuinely attack our thought life, and we make it a priority to seek God. We need to be serious about change.

Don’t allow sin to block your relationship with God. Humble yourself before Him. Repent and receive His forgiveness. Seek to enter His presence with clean hands and a pure heart.