“Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence.” Ephesians 1:4b TPT

I was once preaching in a church whose denomination did not ordain women as ministers or have women preachers. But this particular church had accepted me (a woman) as one of their ministers. I found out just before the service that a minister from one of the other churches was coming to talk about missions at the end of the service. My heart sank as I knew there was a strong chance he was against women in ministry.
I was preaching about how God shares all that He has and is with us. As I preached I saw this visiting minister go from sitting and looking up, to having his head hanging down in his hands like he was really upset. My heart sank, anticipating a real protest was coming.
At the end of the service the visitor got up to speak as arranged. I held my breath, anticipating the worst as he was clearly struggling to find words. When he finally did speak it was with considerable emotion and he thanked me profoundly for what I had said. He said my sermon had moved him so greatly that he was struggling to speak! I was humbled, dumbfounded and very relieved. I had completely misread what was going on. Clearly God had been speaking to him at a deep level through my sermon.

When it comes to dealing with sin, our expectations of God’s reactions are often similarly skewed. The problem of sin has been so overemphasised that many cannot imagine that God could see them as holy and pure (unstained innocence). Their sins seem such big an obstacle that they cannot see the truth of salvation – God has made them pure and holy by putting them into Jesus. Jesus holiness and purity overcomes everything to make us holy and pure! God has ordained us as pure and holy and what God orders happens! The more we can grasp God’s viewpoint the more it becomes our reality. Knowing we are holy and pure in Jesus alters the way we think and behave so we become holy and pure like Jesus. It is a great salvation gift and miracle!

So how can we receive this revelation from God?

“God You’ve declared me pure and holy so pure and holy I am”

Resting in God to make it real to you, use that statement

1. for a time of meditation

2. as the basis of a daily thanksgiving prayer.

3. As an affirmation as you look at yourself in a mirror.

4. As inspiration for an artwork or writing picturing you as pure and holy

5. As inspiration for a song or chant

6. However else you can think of to remind you

“God You’ve declared me pure and holy so pure and holy I am”

“God You’ve declared me pure and holy so pure and holy I am”