A decade old health poll revealed that 31% of Americans do not shower every day. The same study showed 65% bath and or shower daily with 4% showering more than once a day. Other cultures such as Europe find it socially acceptable to shower 3 to 4 times a week. The purpose of cleansing is to disinfect, freshen up and sanitize human bodies. The cooler than climate, the less this may be needed. However, depending upon your degree of perspiration, you may need to shower twice a day to avoid offending your family with a fowl body odor.
And God, who knows and understands the heart, testified to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; Acts 15:8.
The Bible refers to a spiritual cleansing. This isn’t accomplished by taking a private bath or shower. Rather, churches perform baptisms which demonstrate a public expression of an inner faith. According to the apostle Paul, God cleanses souls through the power of the Holy Spirit. After someone accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior, Romans 10:9-10, first century Christians immediately participated in outdoor baptism ceremonies along a nearby body of water. Despite having clothes on at this time, Luke describes this process as hearts beings cleansed by faith.
And He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith [in Jesus], Acts 15:9.
The symbolism of baptism is God’s way of giving human beings a clean slate, a spiritual do over where souls set out on a life long journey as a new creation in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the sinful nature inside of us, referred to as the flesh by Paul makes it impossible to be perfect. In a letter to the church at Rome, Paul states on several occasions “there is no one righteous, not even one,” Romans 3. Thus, after experiencing a believer’s baptism, confession, prayer and fasting serve as means to receive another spiritual cleansing. May these spiritual disciplines become a daily habit to cleanse your heart by faith.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 