Point 3. THE TRANSFORMATION OF WASHED HEARTS IN DISCERNING HEARERS
Mark 7:5,10-13; John 6:63,67-69; 15:3; Psalms 51:6-10,12; Isaiah 1:16-18; Jeremiah 4:14; Ezekiel 36:25-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelations 1:5,6; 3:18-22; 7:9-14
There were people that came to Christ to hear His word, and they saw the difference that He taught with authority and that He was the Teacher come from God, and His teaching brought a change of life. It takes the grace of God to be discerning hearers; they came and surrendered their hearts to the Lord, and their hearts were cleansed by the Lord: they because transformed by the word that was spoken to them. These were the people that heard the Lord, and they saw and knew that Christ is the Way, Truth and the Life. “Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders ….?” (Mark 7:5). Thank God for the disciples, followers of Christ that heard the word of God, knew that Jesus was the Promised Messiah, and abandoned the tradition, religion, darkness and the practices of the past, and followed Him, for the teachings and doctrines of Christ had taken over their lives; their hearts and lives had been changed. They realized they must show respect and care for their mothers and fathers: Simon Peter invited Jesus Christ to pray for his mother in law that was sick. He did not say he was following the tradition of someone now and so would not care for mother anymore. The Pharisees taught that, “… If a man shall say to his father or mother, it is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightiest be profited by me; he shall be free.” (Mark 7:11) Thus making the word of God of no effect through their tradition. But the disciples followed the Lord because the Word brought light to them, for. tradition of the elders that took of the outside profits nothing. “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68-69). The word of Christ got into them to purge and purify them. This is what matters before God. “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” (John 15:3). Speaking to the religious people and Pharisees, Christ had told them that they were dirty and defiled full of hypocrisy on the inside, but speaking to His own disciples, He said that they were clean through the word that he spoke unto them. Pray this will be our own testimony in Jesus’ Name. “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalms 51:6-7). Purging or cleansing of the heart is the work of God Himself, and He does this by grace, cleansing by the word and the Sacrifice of Christ on Calvary that is acceptable unto Him. “O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?” (Jeremiah 4:14). The outward cleansing or washing, going to River Jordan and bathing there does not get anybody saved, it is the washing of the heart that saves us. Come to the Lord, and He will save and cleanse us completely in Jesus’ Name. “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:25-27). This is what the Lord will do Himself in our lives. No matter how many times you do the outward washing, “the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God….” (1 Corinthians 6:9). The Lord is the One that saves us not the washing by ourselves (Titus 3:5). The outward cleansing, dressings, activities of the Pharisees and Sadducees cannot present a glorious church unto the Lord, but the cleansing, washing and sanctification by the word of God. And when the Lord cleanses us by the word and the blood of Christ, we are clean, pure, righteous and made ready for Heaven. As you come to the Lord, and you repent and turn away from the works of your hands, religious pride, tradition of the elders and every self-righteousness then He, “washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Revelations 1:5b). Jesus will wash away all your sins and you will be clean that no stain will remain in your life and heart again, and the glory of God will shine in your life in Jesus’ Name. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelations 3:22). The wife of Pilate told him not to have anything to do with the blood of Jesus Christ, yet he still gave up Jesus to be crucified. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, but they did not have ears to hear, they still held on to their traditions even after His resurrection. But Christ spoke to Peter, John and the rest of the disciples and they heard, and came out of the tradition of men; they were washed and cleansed that the Lord testified to them that they were clean, and their names written in the Book of Life in Heaven. You will hear, and he will cleanse, purge, purify and possess your life, and your name will be written in the Book of Life. The Blood of the Lamb is still efficacious today, and as you call upon the Lord, He will wash and cleanse your heart and soul. If you are washed already, go back to Him, and let Him wash you whiter then snow. He will cleanse your soul, spirit, heart, inner man and give you the grace to go and live in righteousness for the rest of your life. And when the saints go marching into Heaven, thank God, you will be there, and go in with them in Jesus Name. Christ wants to receive you into Heaven, but you must be cleansed from all your uncleanness by the Blood of the Lamb. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). Grace is available for you today, and He will do this work of cleansing and washing in your life and heart.
Ponder on this! How many people today that go through tradition and never think on its effect, purpose and influence in their lives and relationship with God. But if we are going to have the blessings of God and His righteousness, we must go back to the word of the Lord that enlightens and shows us the ways and about salvation; and that declares to us Christ the Living Word that has come to bring redemption, salvation, and righteousness unto us. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Ponder on this! The outward cleansing, dressings, activities of the Pharisees and Sadducees cannot present a glorious church unto the Lord, but the cleansing, washing and sanctification by the word of God. And when the Lord cleanses us by the word and the blood of Christ, we are clean, pure, righteous and made ready for Heaven. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Ponder on this! Hypocrites do a lot of religious things that might appear right outwardly; they pray, fast and give alms, but they do these for the praise of men. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Reflection – Outward tradition, comportment or celebration of whatever without the heart being there, merits no favour from God. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Words on the Marble – Hypocrites do a lot of religious things. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.
Key Words – They came to look for imperfection in Him that is Perfect; they came to look for unrighteousness in Him that is Righteous; they came to look for fault in Him that is Faultless. Pastor (Dr) W.F Kumuyi.