Clean or stained
My white Camellia bush is blooming. Some of the blossoms are snowy white and lovely. Others are brown and damaged by cold weather. I’m reminded of the struggle we humans face in the battle between righteousness and sin–between right and wrong–between clean or stained.
It’s a struggle between clean or stained
“Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me,” declares the Sovereign LORD. (Jeremiah 2:22) NIV*
We try to be good. Following the guidelines of our Lord is our goal. We strive to be kind, compassionate, and loving. Hopefully, we succeed most of the time.
But if you’re like me–sometimes you fail.
I always look forward to spring because of the plethora of beautiful blossoms, but in winter there are few flowers that flourish in the cold. Camellias are the exception. But the trials of day-to-day living are visible. Some of the blossoms are brown–damaged by cold weather–stained by the elements.
That happens to me, too. What about you?
Sometimes my actions proclaim that I’m stained by sin:
- I dislike hearing people put others down, but catch myself doing the same thing.
- Gossip really bothers me, but then I notice I’m passing something on which should have been left unsaid.
- I expect others to be patient with me–to be forgiving of my faults–yet I’m impatient and judgmental of others.
- Kindness is sometimes missing from my day-to-day interactions.
What about you? Do some of your thoughts and actions not fit within our Lord’s guidelines for Christian behavior?
Can we pray for one another?
How can we do better in our daily routine? This Camellia looks lovely, but are there hidden flaws? Are we hiding behind the belief that we have no sin?
We cannot change on our own. We need our Lord’s help.
- Reflection and prayer can help us identify actions which may cause a stain.
- Scripture can guide us as to what behaviors we should strive for. (Galatians 5:22-23)
- When we call on our Lord for help in changing those behaviors which aren’t in His will, He will answer.
- Only our Lord can forgive our sins and cleanse our stain.
Wash and make yourselves clean. Take the evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter.” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:16-18)
Clean or stained
Those brown Camellia blooms remind me that I’m not white as snow–that I am stained by sin. But our Father is faithful and trustworthy. He hears us when we call Him.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7)
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
But I know the one who can cleanse me as white as snow–only Jesus can take away the stain. With His help, I can change my actions–but only if a admit I am a sinner and ask for His guidance to change my behavior and cleanse me of stain.
This message by Tom Stuart on Ignited2Pray Ministries provides inspiring insight on this topic. I encourage you to take a moment to read his message.
*All scripture is from the NIV
So theologically rich and encouraging. Thank you, Katherine.
Thank you for your kind encouragement, Kristy. I’m grateful you stopped by my blog this week. We are so blessed by our loving Father. Wishing you joy and blessings this week.
I’m so thankful for a perfect God who loves, forgives, and guides imperfect me.
I’m very grateful, too, Diana, for our merciful, loving, and forgiving God. And it’s absolutely amazing that He loves us in spite of our many faults. Blessings!
Amen. Yes, clean me Lord. Create in me a new heart. I pray my words and actions will glorify God. Have a blessed day! 🙂
We serve an awesome Father who gifted us with His Son. Through Him we are forgiven and cleansed. Like you, Melissa, I pray for a new heart–a heart that loves Jesus with every fiber of my being. Joy and blessings!
Thank you Katherine. Those little stains can leave such big marks, and I know how easily I can slip into noticing others, but not my own. I’m so grateful for God’s patience to continue His work in me.
Some days I feel like I have BIG stains, but I’m thankful for our Lord’s faithfulness and mercy in forgiving us and washing away those stains. Like you, Sylvia, I’m especially thankful for His patience with me. He keeps on loving me and guiding me, in spite of my mistakes and stumbles. He loves each one of us that way.
Katherine, thanks for this reminder that our quick we are to hide our sin stains yet see the stains if others so easily!
Yes, Lisa, I have a “plank” in my eye more often than I want to admit. Aren’t we blessed to have a forgiving Father? Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Your camellia picture gives such a vivid image of the purity Christ gives us. He removes those brown blossoms of sin to make us clean. Thanks for sharing this eye opening lesson, Katherine.
The flowers God has given us are all so lovely and pure. I love His gifts. But flowers have faults and imperfections just as we do. But as God’s children, we can be beautiful and purified on our way to sanctification as we journey along the path with Jesus. Blessings!
Beautiful flowers (and indeed all of God’s creation) testify to God’s goodness. Thank you for a much-needed message, Katherine.
Thank you, Annie. Even though I’ve been shown over and over again how beautiful is God’s creation, I continued to be amazed by this marvelous world He’s allowed us to inhabit. Every Spring, the awesome beauty of the flowers God provides overwhelms me. We are so blessed. I hope you’re still celebrating your birthday week!
Your camellia bush is lovely and a great symbol for our lives and the struggles we all face with sin.
Thank you, Candyce. Spring and warmer weather are coming. We’ll be able to enjoy all those outdoor activities in our Father’s amazing creation.
We are made from dust and redeemed. We require regular cleansing from the dirt we pick up on our feet as we walk through life.
Lovely flower! We still have snow! God bless!
You have snow? It’s been more than two years since we’ve had snow and we miss it. You are right–we require regular cleansing. We are so blessed that our Savior doesn’t give up on us. We’re so blessed by His love and mercy. Blessings!
Your post reminds me of when Jesus washed the disciples feet and Peter wanted his whole body washed. Jesus’ blood cleansed us at salvation, but we pick up dirt in the world and need our feet washed daily. We have to guard our hearts and who we hang out with. I’m so glad Jesus still washes our feet!
Debbie, thank you for reminding us of Peter’s desire to be “washed all over.” I often feel that way, too. Our Father is loving and merciful, but I’m so undeserving of His faithfulness. As you point out, we pick up dirt in the world (I do). Thank you for sharing your wisdom and encouragement.
Apologies for taking so long to get to this Ms. Katherine. You always bless me by reminding me that I’m not alone in the struggle that is this Christian life. I sometimes ask myself, “Why is being a Christian such a struggle?” The answer, at least the one that works for me, is found in Romans 7:15. We struggle with living out our faith because it is converse to our carnal human spirit. That internal war often leaves its mark, but we know Who can clean us up. Am so grateful that Jesus Christ, living is us, lends us His righteousness when He stands before the Father on our behalf. He is worthy! God’s blessings sweet friend.
I’m so thankful for your response, J.D. “Why is being a Christian such a struggle?” Jesus reminded us it would be, didn’t He? We want what we want–and we want it now. It’s so hard to tame our selfish nature. Only with our Father’s love, mercy, and patience can we do it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, my friend–your insight is always spot on.
The bush looks beautiful and I love your analogy to the damaged blooms. It paints a picture I can relate to in my own life. No matter how much I try, the ugly creeps in. Thank God that He still loves me as I work to do better each day. Thanks Katherine
You’ve hit the nail on the head, Yvonne. “No matter how much I try, the ugly creep in.” Thank God we have an Intercessor–our Lord and Savior. He loves us–He’s faithful–He is trustworthy, forgiving, and steadfast. Thank you for your ministry Yvonne.
Such an encouraging post, Katherine. I am so very grateful for the forgiveness I receive each and every day, throughout the day. It is something I surely don’t deserve. I’m also thankful the Lord never gives up on perfecting me, even with all my imperfections. It truly is humbling to sit and ponder this morning. May I be one who offers forgiveness to others in the same measure to which I have been forgiven. Thank you for this reminder and for sharing the beauty of your flowers!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Joanne. Like you, I’m so grateful that our loving Father doesn’t give up on us. Thank you for encouraging us to apply the love and forgiveness exemplified by our Lord in our interactions with others. Peace and blessings!
“We cannot change on our own. We need our Lord’s help.” I’m so thankful the Lord gives us the help we need when we cry out to Him.
He’s never far away, and always ready to answer our call. Thank for, LuAnn, I think we’ve both experienced the infinite blessing of God’s love. Wishing you a wonderful week.