Knowing God through His Word … Day by Day

In a sermon titled, “Clean and Unclean,” Coty Pinckney says:

Leviticus 11-15 tells the Israelites what is unacceptable, but also shows them how to become acceptable. Just so, Jesus tells us what defiles us, but also tells us how to be cleansed from those defilements.

Hebrews 10:22 reads like this:

let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

We can draw near; we need to judge ourselves, we need to be cleansed by the washing of water with the word, as Paul puts it in Ephesians. This washing involves letting the word of God dwell richly in our lives, cleansing us, opening us up before him, laying bare before him our inadequacies and our defilements, our mistakes and our sins, our thoughts and our deeds. And God will cleanse us! We need never fear his rejection. This holy God, this pure and spotless being, this one in whom no darkness dwells, has determined that he will save to the uttermost all who come to Him through Christ — and he will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So do you have a clear conscience? Are you sprinkled clean? Are you preparing yourself day by day by day, feeding on God’s word, letting it wash you and cleanse you? Are you controlling your thoughts, so that you are dwelling on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy? Are you keeping short accounts with God, confessing your sins?

This is the message of Leviticus 11-15 to us today. Steer clear of the defilements of the heart that so easily enter our lives. Seek God’s cleansing forgiveness for those diseased emissions, those thoughtless words and cruel actions that we say or do even unintentionally; clear your heart of the infectious diseases of pride and hate and bitterness that, if unattended, will isolate you from God and man, leaving you excluded from the camp, isolated in your suffering.

God is holy, but this holy God invites you into his presence — on His terms. Won’t you accept those terms?

To read the entire sermon, click here: