Pearly White

I just love the way my teeth feel right after a dental cleaning. Like shiny, new pearls , or what I would imagine new pearls to feel like. I can't help but roll my tongue over my teeth. My mouth feels so much fresher and I almost think water taste purer and I am certain they look a shade whiter. I have also made the resolution to take more care of what I put in my mouth. I don't want them to get dirty. I want this feeling to last forever! I know with time our teeth start to stain, but with all the products available, I want to stay on top of it.

I was thinking about this earlier and comparing it to our spiritual life. How wonderful and "clean" we feel after being washed by the blood of Jesus. As for my own experience, all things were exactly how the scripture described them. They were NEW. It was absolutely true! The grass was greener and the sky was bluer. And most important, Love. I felt such an overwhelming love. Love like I had never known before. I was completely accepted by my Lord. All my former sins had been forgiven and I was now one of His. Speaking for myself, I didn't want anything to stain this "new" creature I had become.(I am not talking about works of the law here, so please don't misunderstand.)

I did not want to do the things the "old" me use to. Those desires, by the grace of God were gone. I wanted to know more about HIM and how to live a pleasing life. I began to read God's word and believe every word of it. I was in church every service and eager to hear the word preached. In my heart, I wanted to do everything possible to *keep* myself clean. I can do nothing apart from Christ. Therein lies the problem.

There is so much going on in this world and life is full of things that keeps us busy and steals our time. The bible tells us that Lot was a righteous man, but his soul was vexed from the things going on around him. We have to remain in constant relationship with our Lord above all else. Nothing ever "goes" right if we don't. (Hard lesson I have learned) And if we are not careful, we allow things to creep back from our "old" life that will "stain" our spiritual walk. Old habits, attitudes, laziness, unconcern for our brothers and sisters are a few and this is why Paul said that he died daily. I don't want to be stained by the world's thoughts and opinions. I want to be clean and holy. " Be ye holy, for I am holy" saith the Lord. Eventually the old man will try to resurrect, none of us are immune to this, but my prayer is we can be like Paul and crucify the flesh. This comes through Christ alone.