THE HOUSE CLEANING

      In “The Principles of a Methodist Further Explained,” John Wesley said, “Our main doctrines, which include all the rest, are three—that of repentance, of faith, and of holiness. The first of these we account as it were, the porch of religion; the next, the door; the third, religion itself.” (The Works of John Wesley, Volume VIII, Zondervan Publishing House, 1959; page 472)

      Since Wesley and Methodism is all about the grace found throughout scripture and strongly expressed by Jesus, the imagery of the “house of salvation” makes sense through the eyes of grace. Prevenient grace, grace that makes it possible for us to see our need for God, brings us to conviction and the porch of the house. Justifying grace, grace that allows us to ask for forgiveness and to say yes to God, opens the door, invites us in, and makes us a member of God’s family. Sanctifying grace, grace that reminds us that God wants every room of our house to be cleaned out and under his control, makes it possible for us to live a life that is holy and acceptable to God.

      Soon after we become believers, we begin to see things in our words, thoughts, and actions that are not Christ-like. We need a spiritual “house cleaning” if we are to imitate Christ.

      Joanna Weaver, in her book, “Having a Mary Spirit,” provides a list of undesirable “clutter” and sins, which we must ask God to cleanse from the “rooms” of our heart.

      Jealousy (You are all you get to be—enjoy it!)

      Regrets   (You cannot undo mistakes, so learn from them.)

      Shame    (If you have asked God to forgive you, accept that forgiveness)

      Blame    (Stop pointing the finger at everyone else)

      Gossip    (If it cannot be said in front of the person, do not say it)

      Fear        (Stop and pray before fear takes hold)

      Envy       (Learn to want what you have)

      Lies         (Disregard the habit of half-truths, exaggerations, full-fledged    

                        deception)

      Complaining (Do not nurse it or rehearse it…disperse it)

      Ingratitude  (Look for things to be thankful for---tell someone about it!)

      Careless words  (Ask, “Does this really need to be said?”)

      Laziness   (Do one thing today that you really do not want to do.)

      Greed     (Give something you love away.)

      Self-Pity   (Cry for five minutes if you must, then blow you nose and

                        Move on.)

      Lust        (Eliminate the I-must-have-it-now desire for people and things.)

    

       Paul writes in 2Corinthians, “Let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God.”

Rev. Tim McConnell Long’s Chapel UMC, November 24, 2013