Washed

"The nature of man, if it be not sanctified, is the worst nature in the world next to that of devils."
Attributed to Matthew Henry's commentary on the book of Matthew chap 10.

     Are you sanctified by Jesus? Do you believe in all that he did and died for? Is there really any transformation when one believes him or is it hogwash!  I say, yes transformation is possible only and only if you receive the Spirit made possible by Christ's death on the cross.  It was bloody, gruesome, slow and extremely painful, to hang with the full weight of one's body by nails affixed to a wooden cross.  Not only did Jesus suffer physical pain, but extreme emotional pain in the form of desertion by his" Father in Heaven", who at this point in Jesus's life ignored his cries and left him there to die.  All the miracles, all the teachings, wisdom shown and mercy unrestrained and given to the throbbing crowds ever surrounding Jesus he was always "doing the will of his Father."  He could do nothing else.   This time forsaken, for all of our sakes!
    If Jesus did not suffer in this way to fulfill all of the Law and the Prophets, then we would be forsaken too.
Left to our own intentions we would be a most miserable race.  If you do not believe, simply refresh your memories of the recent deaths by beheading of the innocents caught up in the turmoil that is the Middle East.
Do they show mercy? Do they reveal a heart after God!  A God who says "Mercy triumphs over judgement." I do not thinks so.  Their God is what they make him to be in their own image.
     The religious war is the nastiest of all wars.  It show no mercy when belief cannot be changed and when challenges only become more hateful.  That is why Christ told his disciples to "Love your enemy."  Huh?
How in the world do we do this when they only want to kill you?  Love is disarming.  If we show mercy to our enemy yes they may kill you but in return, God will have his final say and judgement in the end.  We are to be sanctified and be holy because he said " Be Ye Holy, for I am Holy."  Nuff said.  We cannot return evil for evil and that is what sets a true Christian apart.  It is never enough to 'perform' and have a form of Godliness but no power.  Christ gives the power to over come.  He has too, he knows us inside and out.  Is your cup only washed on the outside?