Drop the title! Wipe! Tidy up!
Throw it away! Wipe! Tidy up!
Text/ Hebrews 12:1-2
1. Introduction
Today is the first week of July. It seems like 2009 started yesterday, but the first half has already ended and the second half has begun. The six months that have already passed are unavoidable, and now we need to make up our minds to make 2009 the most beautiful year of our lives by living the remaining six months well. So, let's read today's text first.
*Therefore, since we have a multitude of witnesses surrounding us like a cloud, let us put off every burden (or stumbling block) and the sins that easily entangle us, and let us run with patience the race set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).
2. The first thing to do in order to live your faith as a reality is to clean your mind
The writer of Hebrews declares in that famous chapter of faith (chapter 11), “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” The witnesses who lived by faith (Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Moses, etc.) were enumerated. And in conclusion, he said, “The first thing we believers should do in order to live according to that faith in real life is to put off all the heavy things stumbling blocks and the sins that easily entangle us. In other words, it means that the purification (purification) of the heart-soul-spirit-spirit-inside must come first. It is because if you are not pure in heart, you cannot see Jesus (Matthew 5:8).
I think all saints-wise men-teachers-seekers we meet in history have three things in common. However, all of them lived a life of poverty and no possessions. Both of them lived in pursuit of the kingdom of God-truth-wisdom-freedom rather than worrying about reality. Third, they all lived in a clean environment.
In this context, as I read these verses, I think that the work of purifying the mind-spirit-soul-inside is the same as cleaning the house-office-classroom-computer-desk-refrigerator-closet in which we live. This is because the essence of both the purification of the mind and the general cleaning of daily life consists of the following three steps.
first. Dare to throw it away!
second. Wipe hard!
third. Keep it clean!
3. Throw it out boldly, wipe it hard, and keep it clean!
first. Boldly let go! Do we all throw away books, clothes, furniture, bags, hats, reference materials, favorites, etc., every time we do a general cleaning (house-office-classroom-computer-desk-closet, etc.)? not? Hesitating and conflicting. The thought that it is a waste to throw it away - The thought that it might come in handy someday - The thought that it may cost money and time twice later - The beautiful memories of the past are intertwined... Then, the next time you clean it, the vicious cycle of conflict continues.
“Most documents and letters are a waste of time (Peter Drucker), look carefully at the desks of the rich and those of the poor. There is never a messy pile of papers on a rich man's desk (Brian Tracy)." You have to be daring to let it go.
So is the purification of the mind. We all have conflicts with people close to us, inappropriate relationships, and hobbies-habits-behaviors that are not serious sins, but are very difficult to quit (don't do it, it's all fun!) "Only this time--just once--this is enough What-everyone else's. I do that much, but what--it's still okay,” he continued. Purification of the mind is the drastic break of all these inappropriate relationships-hobbies-habits. Really, boldly!
second. Wipe hard! We feel bad when we encounter a messy environment. When you encounter a clean and beautiful environment, you feel refreshed and your mind is focused. This is because a dirty environment emits negative energy, and a clean environment emits positive energy. When we do a general cleaning, when it gets dirty, we have to wipe it hard to get rid of it. If it cannot be erased with water, use strong laundry detergent.
So is the purification of the mind. Deep spiritual faults-sin-wounds-problems are not cleared by ordinary religious practice. It cannot be solved with ordinary water. We need special and powerful religious practices such as Moses' Intercession, Daniel's Special Prayer for 21 Days, and Jesus' Transfiguration Prayer-Gethsemane Prayer. Fasting and prayer suitable for each person's circumstances - intensive Bible reading - prayer house living - special praise - special service activities are necessary.
third. Keep it clean! The environment changes after we boldly throw it away and wipe it hard. We rearrange-rearrange all living equipment to suit the changing environment.
So is the purification of the mind. After daringly cut off all the heavy things in the heart - the stumbling blocks - the sins that are easily entangled - and cultivating the mind with special spiritual practice, the mind must be in order. lest you fall into temptation again so that you do not fall into temptation, you must adamantly avoid people, places, and atmospheres where you may be tempted (tempted).
This is because, if you do not clear your heart and make it firm, you may encounter a worse situation after cleaning your heart like the person in the “parable of the empty house” (Matthew 12:43-45).