A new start – Day 4
A new start … with a pure heart
Bible text(s)
Psalms 24
Matthew 5
Ephesians 4
Needles, buttons, coins, a TV remote control, a salt pot and animal bones. These are some of the strange items that doctors have removed from patients, at a Croatian hospital, over the past years. At first, hospital staff collected the objects to show young medical students what to expect when operating on patients. Afterwards, the hospital mounted a selection of these strange objects for visitors to see.
The main reason why doctors need to remove strange objects as soon as possible is to prevent infection, caused by the object, from spreading throughout the whole body.
Sometimes we allow “strange objects” in the form of selfishness, jealousy, pride, bitterness and an unforgiving heart to take root in our lives. If we do not identify it and allow God to remove it, it will affect our lives as an infection does.
God is holy and he desires for us to live holy lives. Listen to the words in Psalm 24:3-4: “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” Listen also to Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
In Ephesians 4:23-32, we find helpful guidelines to prevent these harmful attitudes from infecting our lives: “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies … And don’t sin by letting anger control you … If you are a thief, quit stealing … Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them … Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
God is our Surgeon. Moreover, because he loves us, he can remove these harmful attitudes and cut them away before they infect our lives. Let us, therefore, ask him to lead us through his Holy Spirit, to identify the attitudes that need to be removed. Do not wait until it is too late! God bless.
