Clean, white and... oops!

I’ve decided white and I don’t do well together! I recently watched an entire scene from a movie play out of a woman running, from a man-eating dinosaur, in high heels and white clothing. She looked fantastic but I kept thinking how unrealistic it was for her to remain so clean, to say nothing of her ability to run in high-heels without foot cramps. It wasn’t until the end of the movie that she actually looked somewhat disheveled. I thought, only in the movies could a woman run for miles through the jungle in high heels wearing something fit for a Clorox commercial. (Of course there was the whole dinosaur thing too) So feeling inspired by this semi-superwoman I figured if she can make it through the day under treacherous conditions and duress surely I can get through a day at a computer in a white shirt! You can probably guess what happened. Yep! No-can-do! In less than twenty minutes I had to change and apply spray and wash to the spots before they became permanent stains. Ugh! Wearing white and trying to stay white is, for me at least, both frustrating and exhausting!

I have been reading through the book of Leviticus, being reminded of how exhausting and even frustrating it must have been to “stay clean.” In a sense the Law was like a holy white garment that when put on, through covenant, was quickly soiled. The sacrifices were the agent used to bring cleansing but once clean it was only a matter of time before you would find yourself in need of cleansing again. More than a soiled appearance the consequences could be severe putting you outside the favor and blessings of God.

However, in the new covenant we are given a priceless gift in Jesus…

     “For by the one offering He has perfected forever and completely cleansed those who are         being sanctified [bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity].” Hebrews            10:14 AMP

We, who have believed, have put on the Lord Jesus Christ and His garments are never soiled. He is spot free and stain resistant! His single sacrifice had enough cleansing power to keep us clean for all eternity! This cleansing is meant to free us to live a lifestyle of worship without coming under condemnation, fear of wrath or separation from His lovingkindness. His cleansing is a pure gift of grace and has nothing to do with us trying to keep ourselves clean or make ourselves clean. We simply believe it, receive it, and celebrate it by enjoying the benefits of His nearness.

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10
 
            On this day we will all look fantastic in white and we will be spotless!

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