Slightly Soiled-Greatly Reduced.
PS. 24:3-4,
2 Chr. 24:17-22
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart. . . .-Psalm 24:34
“On the bargain counter of the department store we some¬times find merchandise of the finest quality marked down to incredibly low prices. We pause and wonder. Such quality, such beauty of design, such workmanship—and so cheap! But closer examination reveals the truth, or perhaps a modest cardboard sign tells the story: "Slightly soiled, greatly reduced in price."
In the market of life we find much human material similarly marked down. Many of these people are gifted, cultured, and of high potential, but slightly soiled—in speech, in character, in reputation—and drastically reduced in worth. They are not ruined; but they are disqualified for the highest achievements; they are defeated in their noblest aspirations. The best to which they can ever attain is only second best to that which might have been, had they kept their hands clean and their hearts pure.
Slightly soiled is a greater loss than totally destroyed.
True in world of merchandising. Truer still in Kingdom of God.
The great losses of the church do not come by its members falling into flagrant, shocking iniquity but the subtle sins that slightly soil.
Just enough to dim their Christian radiance, muffle their testimony, or impair their influence so that they are a total loss to the K.O.G.
1. THE SIN THAT SLIGHTLY SOILS IS DEADLIER THAN IT APPEARS.
not sin in grosser forms but in milder forms
sin in guise of sweet innocence
sugar-coated poison
not satan as roaring lion but in cognito
2. SIN THAT SLIGHTLY SOILS LEAVES NO LIFE UNMOLESTED,
no person so pure
only two persons Satan doesn't bother
no environment so wholesome even Garden of Eden
no place out of reach of the baited hook of Satan
3. SIN THAT SLIGHTLY SOILS OFTEN FINDS US UNPREPARED TO RESIST.
a. Low spiritual vitality
tough to live pure, Godly life in unpure,unGodly world,
like walking down long hall: air saturated with disease germs
good nutrition Bible
good exercise service
good air prayer
Perhaps we are soiled by lack of spiritual discernment.
Black/white is easy
Problem is discerning right/wrong in gray areas
Test is not "Is there a specific commandment"
not one for pot, porno movies, taxes,
Test is not "Does it offend my conscience"
it can be dulled by neglect or abuse
Test is not "Does it violate my understanding of scripture"
may be too meager
K.K.K., abortion, capital punishment
Test is not "Are others doing it?”
Better test is…
"What if pastor did it"
"If Jesus were with you, would you do it"
"Would it weaken your witness"
REAL TEST IS WHAT DOES GOD SAY
II. TO BECOME SLIGHTLY SOILED WILL REDUCE YOUR WORTH!
1. Slight soiling leaves an indelible stain.
may lose what you can't recover
reputation . . Tylenol space rocks
2. Slight soiling may bring outright defeats
Joash
3. Slight soiling may be a weight to encumber your life
III. TO RESIST BECOMING SLIGHTLY SOILED CALLS FOR POWERFUL DEFENSES.
1. One powerful defense is "POSITIVE LIVING"
2. The goodness required is not WOODEN INDIAN- -does no wrong
The goodness required is outgoing, achieving goodness that leaves no room for soiling
3. Another defense is worthy friendships
You become like them
4. Ultimate defense is resourseful partnership with Jesus
The time together reinforces us- readies us for emergencies
“Before the hour of crisis, the decisive steps are taken and the outcome of the crisis is determined „ Stonewall Jackson
IV. THE KING'S BUSINESS REQUIRES CLEAN HANDS.
a. Surgeon
b. David 1 Chr. 22:8 No, not you David, there is blood on your hands
c. Jesus Christ- Lamb without spot
d. US
