Clean Hands, Pure Hearts

A few years back, my husband and I were "pushed" out of a church by a group of individuals that wanted leadership control.  They felt it was their time to lead.  They were tired of how the previous pastor lead and deep down didn’t trust those who were currently overseeing the church.  There was and still is a serious distrust of anyone in leadership specifically when the leaders do not include someone in their group.  A deeply rooted division has taken place between Elder and Staff. When the lead pastor stepped away, these individuals saw an opportunity to take control and jumped at it and has refused to submit to those in authority over them. 

As this was all unfolding, the elders asked my husband to step into the lead position for a short period of time in order to help the church navigate through the transition process. My husband met with these individuals over a 3-month period to discussed what their goals, desires and strengthen were and developed a ministry plan based on their impute.  When he shared the plan with them, they immediately rejected it and became very upset. They did not want a plan they did not develop.  They were tired of implementing other people’s ideas and felt strongly it was their turn to be in control.

I do believe at the time, they would have told you they wanted my husband's leadership but, in the end, they only wanted him to be their “puppet” so they could pull the strings and lead the church through him.   When confronted, they acknowledge this to be true but did not repent or change their attitudes.  In fact, they dug their “heels” in deeper and one actually said God could their wrong actions for His good.  Sadly, the division in the church has only grown deeper and wider.

Why do I share this? Because God can and does use all kinds of people and situations. All throughout scripture we see God use wicked kings, nations, sibling rivalry and even a donkey to accomplish His purposes. But just because He does, does not mean God approves of sinful behaviors/attitudes. 

If it is true that God uses all kinds of people and situation then why does our motives, attitudes and behaviors matter? Because God cares deeply about our heart – out of the overflow of our heart flows our motive, our attitude and our behaviors. Our attitude and motives show who is really on the throne of our hearts.  God calls us to have clean hands and pure hearts which results in right motives.  He calls us to have a servant's attitude like Jesus did. Jesus came to serve and not to be served. He led with humility and laid down his life for us. God cares deeply about honoring and submitting to those in authority over us.

God cares about the state of our hearts and a pure heart comes from consecrating ourselves to God. 

Lev 20: 7-8 “Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God.  Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.”   

Romans 6:13 “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.” 

Psalm 24: 3-4 “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?  And who shall stand in his only place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.” 

Here’s my takeaway... If I keep myself pure and renounce sinful behavior in my life, I won’t be a potential tool in Satan’s hand that God can still use but rather a beautiful instrument in the hand of God. I don't know about you, but I want to be the beautiful instrument in God's hand.

2 Tim 2:21 “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” 

Hope vs. Obstacles

“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. ‭” Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭18-22‬ ‭NLT

Reflection 

When we allow our earthly reality to anchor our hope, it weakens our faith. We need to anchor our hope in the truth of God's promises. Abraham is a wonderful example for us to keep our hope in God's promises. Abraham was 100 years old! That was his reality. His body was 100 years old, and scripture says his body was as good as dead and same with Sarah's womb. It was all shriveled up! Yet God said, “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.” 

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping... Let me say that a little stronger. You can face your earthly reality… your facts and still have hope! You can still believe God's word to be true! That kind of faith strengthens us. 

With tenderness, I will admit that I do not understand God's ways. I do not understand why He heals some and not others. I do not understand the years of waiting or unanswered prayers. I don’t. What I do know is the character of my God and what scripture says. I believe his Word to be true. 

Here's my takeaway

I will not put my confidence in my weaknesses. I will not share my hope with my obstacles. My hope is in the power and the authority and the faithfulness of my God. The One who daily establishes His purposes for me! 

So, what has God promised you? What does God's scripture say about the situation you are in? What does scripture say about the heart of God? His heart for you? Are you committed and fully convinced that God is able? And if so, is your faith growing stronger? 

Your faith is not built on your circumstances. Your faith is built and strengthened because of who God is, what God has promised, what God's word says over your situation.