Jude 5 - "Clean"

Theses words in Natalie Grants's song "Clean" are in my mind this morning...

There's nothing too dirty that You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean.

Being 'clean' in Christ is the best way to live. The very first time we ask Jesus for forgiveness of our sins is special as He wipes our slate clean. But that cleansing does not happen just one time. We must repent and ask for a cleansing each and every day. Even  when one gets to the point where they are living a holy life and not blatantly sinning there are still times sin can creep in and they need a cleansing. There are also the sins of omission where the Lord tells us to do something and we don't do it. There needs to be a cleansing from those times too. 

As I was reading Jude again this morning, the Lord stopped me at verse five. There are people who are pretending to be followers of Christ who are pulling others away from Him. Just because one accepts the Lord into their heart it does not mean they will go to heaven when they leave this earth. Jude gives examples of people in the Bible who were 'pretenders' for whatever reason. Sometimes 'pretenders' are people who never really accepted the Lord in the first place. Other times 'pretenders' are people who did accept the Lord yet not fully. Moses was a true believer. When he told the people of God's plan for them, they listened to the ten spies instead of him. We see this happening in today's world over and over every Sunday as pastors preach the Word and tell people of God's plan for them. Sometimes people will listen and believe for that moment but as soon as they are out the door the world takes over their ways. Jude warns of the consequences of not believing in the Lord. He warns of people who will try to pull believers away from Him.

The world tells people they are too 'bad' for Jesus to love them.
The world tells people their way of life won't fit in with a church.
The world tells people they are not worthy of God's love.
But God and the true church speak and show God's love to all.

Dear Jesus,
This morning I am praying for the ones who have recently accepted You into their heart. I am praying against the world having any foothold into their lives. I am praying for Your believers to love on them with such love that they will know You are their Heavenly Father and want to spend eternity with them. Father, fill me with more of You so people see/hear You through me. Lord, I don't want to miss any opportunity to be You to someone. Please take away this distraction in my physical body. I pray for wisdom with decisions that need made. Thank You for being My Cleaner! Amen.