“Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
Dear Ones:
Where does a good and clean conscience come from? And, how is it possible to live a life “void of offence” towards God? Also, how is it possible, living in this fallen world, to be kept clean? If John Calvin wrote, “Man does not know the thousandth of his sin,” then how is it possible to be forgiven, and cleansed from all? The answer lies in a short phrase that Jesus spoke to his disciples: “With men this is impossible; but with God, all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:26)
If faith will rise to the level of believing God for thorough cleansing and forgiveness, then one must believe that God is God, and that He does and will do the work of God. Just as God is not man that He should lie, so He is God, who will always DO that which He has declared. David knew this, and it was the foundation of him coming to God for a “clean heart.” Is there anything more impossible than a sinner, whose nature it is to sin, try by innumerable methods and devices to “wash his own spots?” On the other hand, is there anything MORE possible than the Eternal God, who has made provision for the cleansing of ALL sin, and the restoration of the heart, mind, and spirit, being willing to forgive, cleanse, and give a pure heart? Beyond the Person of God, His holy and good nature, what is there specifically by which He has committed Himself to completely forgive sin, and cleanse the heart? It is the precious blood of His dear Son. In that blood resides a most extraordinary power and capacity, that according to one Christian author, one drop could cleans an entire world!!! How, and why? The answer lies in its worth to God. It is only as the Father sees the blood of His Son, that He can and will forgive sin. It was the love of God that gave His Son to die on Calvary. It will be the righteousness of God that will not stop until a covenant would be established by God to redeem irrevocably the souls of men, and to wash them entirely and forever in that precious blood. It is also true that, as we walk in this world, being very honest and truthful with God, walking in the light of His truth, that, “…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from ALL sin.” (1 Jn. 1:7) If the believer sees God for who He truly is, and understands that He has made provision for all sin, then he can have a good conscience, knowing freedom from the weight and guilt of sin.
In Psalm 51, we discover that David truly knew God, and that as such, he would NOT trust Him for anything less than thorough cleansing and restoration. His prayer was: “Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” (v.2) He goes on to pray, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (v.7) How could he be so specific in his prayers, and expect a consequent, abundant response? It is because of his knowledge of God and His ways. Lastly, he would deal with the basic problem, that of the heart: “Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right spirit with in me.” (v.10) It is not enough to know the act and intervention of God to forgive and cleanse from sin. The issue of the heart, its attitude and motivation, must be addressed. In answer to prayer, God will restore the heart to fellowship with God, rightly orienting it with Him, His purposes and ways.
Dear Father, give us grace to be honest with You. Open our eyes to see You as You are, and to fall down before you, trusting You for cleansing, restoration , and the fullness of Thy Spirit. Cleanse us, and keep us clean. Give to us a good conscience, and a right spirit. We thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad