Thought for the Week
As a kid growing up in smog-strangled Los Angeles I heard a radio ditty about a magical island “26 miles across the sea.” But I could never see it, so I assumed it was a myth. Then one windy day at the beach, it suddenly appeared. I was astounded because it wasn’t just visible, it had been near, really near, all along! In fact, ten years later I met the girl who would become my high school sweetheart on a day trip to Catalina, “the island of romance.” So why hadn’t I been able to see it until then? In a word: pollution.
There’s a worse kind of pollution. It’s the kind that invades our souls, the kind the Apostle Paul was referring to when he said that from this world we can only see a vague reflection of reality, of God, as if in “a darkened mirror, an enigma.” (1 Corinthians 12:11). But there is a way to blow the smog away from our hearts and minds. Jesus said, “Blessed (happy, fulfilled) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
Pure. The word evokes the image of ascetics living on dried bread crusts and flagellating themselves with leather scourges every time they have an impure thought. But real purity isn’t about limitations, it’s about freedom. Dictionary.com defines purity as “freedom from anything that corrupts or pollutes.” Freedom is about blowing away the smog.
Easy to say, hard to do?
Maybe not. Jesus wasn’t some pop guru floating gauzy platitudes. He told us how to be free: “When you abide in my word (“abide” means to live there, to make it the basis of your life), then you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)
So, how do we do that? How do we abide in his word? The Old Testament repeatedly refers to the de-polluting power of observing (living by) God’s word (Deuteronomy 4: 6, Matthew 28:20). In Jesus’ time, few people owned copies of the sacred texts, so in order to observe God’s word they would “sit with” the scrolls in the synagogue — and memorize as many of the precious teachings as they could! When Jesus and the Apostles quote the Old Testament, they’re doing it from memory (most people wouldn’t own a copy of the Bible for another 1,600 years!).
Nowadays, we can own as many copies as we like, or simply read it online. But Jesus wasn’t talking about merely hearing or studying his word, he was talking about observing, abiding, burning it into our souls. King David got it. In Psalm 119:10-13 he says, “I have hidden your word in my heart (memorized it) so that I might not sin against you…and with my lips I will declare (recite and meditate upon) all the words of your mouth.”
Drugs kill. Racism kills. Many things kill. But the killer behind the killers is sin, soul-pollution, the smog that obscures our vision of truth and of God. Only God’s word “hidden in our hearts” is powerful enough to free his Spirit to blow away the pollution of sin (the word spirit in the Bible literally means “wind” or “breath”), to allow us to see that God has, in fact, been near, really near…
All along.
“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” ~John 8:36
Beautiful. Powerful. Thank you, Mitch.
My privilege, Ed.
Yes! So often people avoid the word sin as if saying it brings condemnation. Well, it does only if you deny the only One who can set us free, free indeed. Excellent post!
Thank you, and amen, Debi.
It’s grreat to start my day with a big cup of Truth along with my coffee! 🙂
IMHO, Jesus Christ is our only hope. Like your post.
AMEN MITCH ❤️ Glory to God for His Word is living and active. It convicts, it comforts, it changes our negative mind into the MIND OF CHRIST. Our Father loves us sooo much, He tells us what to THINK. Whatever is notable, worthy of praise, whatever is lovely, good and praiseworthy. BE CHANGED by fasting 40 days from the daily news pollution. FOCUS ON GODS WORD and His WAY, Mark 7:20-23 Turn off the critical, condemnation, petty negative, gossiping noise of the enemy. Choose to silence, not echo complaints. Speak blessings not curses. It is an issue of the heart. Luke 6:27 “love your enemies.” and James 4:11 “do not slander.” Remember Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.” Critics are cursed. Think differently, be set apart from the world. Think “How is Jesus working in this? What is good about this situation?” Look for the good, proclaim it and cancel Satan’s scheme to defile our minds. AMEN
james 4:13
Oh Mitch, this is the best post. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I needed this taste of joy just now.
So glad it spoke to you, sis.
While I love God’s word, and benefit greatly from memorizing and reflecting on scripture, I wonder if that isn’t sufficient by itself to “blow away sin.”
In my experience, truth (lowercase) can only make me aware of my sin.
i need an encounter with Truth (Jesus) to actually set me free…
I agree, Ernie, and certainly meant that in this post. When Jesus said to abide in his word he meant all of his teachings, including those that tell us that he is the way, the truth, and the life, and that we can do nothing without him. In other words, we are only abiding in his word if we are in a loving, trusting relationship with him as our savior and lord.
Great post, Mitch. Such a vivid picture of how sin (pollution)clouds our view.
Thanks, Chris.
Amen! Awesome, Mitch. You have blessed me today. Let the truth be told.
So glad it blessed you, San.
So now how does Los Angeles free itself from pollution?
Got a few decades? ;>) The SoCal smog level has diminished since I was a kid, but still has a long way to go.
Excellent thought for the week
Thanks, Anita.
Sin and corruption are the true pandemic and Jesus is the only cure.
Awesome message! Thanks, Mitch! 🙂
My privilege, Nancy.
Amen. 🙌
Beautiful post, Mitch!
Thank you, T.
Sure thing.
Awesome, Mitch. The older I get, the more I treasure God’s Word.
Love this, Mitch. May God bless every area of your life xx
Thank you, dear Janet, and yours as well.
you didn’t list john 8:38 & verses 33-34, 1 corinthians 12:13, matthew 53:45 by his stripes, matthew 5:33, psalm 144:35-38, etc.
Love, love, love this article Mitch!
Agreed, King David did get it, Amen.
When we know God’s word, applied it to our daily lives, walk with Him and seek him daily we can experience his love and assistance.
It’s an honor and a privileged to be used by Him!
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthian 1:9
Amen, Cora.
1:07
Great post Mitch. Yes, at the cross Jesus can make us pure of heart, and there, in Him we can see the face of God.
Yesss! So good! Love the definition of purity… “freedom from anything that corrupts or pollutes.” I want to walk more fully in that freedom all the time.
Me too, Kara.
Some people are afraid to even consider Jesus’ offer of freedom, thinking they’ll lose more than they gain. The opposite is true. As your closing scripture states,“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” ~John 8:36. What he offers–freedom from guilt, fear, worry, dissatisfaction, and more–is the very best freedom we could experience!
So true, Nancy.
Soul pollution is a great term to describe the smog that permeates beneath our skin and creates destruction from the inside out.
Mitch, this is one of your best posts!
I’m grateful to say, Jesus is my sole solution for soul pollution.
Thank you, Manette. He’s mine too.
Wonderful post!
Thank you, Mary!
Amazing message, Mitch, so full of truth and wisdom! Thanks for the reminder!
My privilege, and thank you, Peggy.
I like your analogy of pollution contrasted with purity and the true freedom it brings, especially as Good Friday and Easter approach. Last week, I wrote something about sin that you can take a look at if you like.
I will, Keith.
Lovely post!
Thanks, Dana!
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Nice post, thanks for sharing
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Love your message and method for delivering it!
Thank you, Steven.
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