Clean, Part 2

When God spoke to me about being a clean vessel, he revealed two ways we become dirty: speaking words that are contrary to His heart for us (see last post) and controlling. All authority in heaven and Earth belongs to Jesus (Matthew 28:18), and He has given this authority to us (Revelation 2:26-28). But authority and control are not the same thing. Though God is in control, He does not control. Rather, He beckons; He knocks; He waits. In His goodness, He designed the Christian life so that every good thing is available to us through faith. All we have to do is ask and trust (John 14:12-14). Yet in our sinful state, we have a hard time believing these truths:

"Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear" (Isaiah 59:1).
"God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).
"The LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11).

It is because we haven't learned to trust completely in God's capability and goodness that we try to control. We strive. We try to make things work out. We hold onto possessions, money, and relationships. We worry. We tell others what to do. We manipulate. We try to earn love. These are all forms of control. This is Paul's response to the Galatians' attempt to control by valuing legalistic works above faith and grace:

"You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?" (Galatians 3:1-2)."

To control is to be bewitched. It is to think that we could do any better for ourselves than God can do for and through us. It is another instance of negating the work of the cross. So how do we let go of control? I'm still trying to figure that one out. I think it's a lifelong process that has to do with allowing ourselves to be molded by the hands of the Potter. Allowing God to cut away the junk in our lives. Allowing Him to be our all in all - praising Him when He gives and when He takes away. If you've been a Christian for any length of time, you're probably familiar with this passage:

" 'I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me' " (John 15:1-4).

The Greek for prunes also means cleans. Having received Jesus' message of salvation makes us clean, and submitting ourselves to be discipled by Him and renew our minds day by day with His Word keeps us clean.