THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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In a small town there was a soap manufacturing plant. The manager of the plant had hired several people who were members of the local church. The employees told the pastor that the manager didn't go to church. So, one afternoon, the pastor went to visit the manager of the plant.
After they had talked for awhile, the manager said, "I don't believe there is a God. If it were true, then He would save everyone."
As they were exiting the building, the pastor noticed two young boys playing at the sidewalk. They were, as young boys usually are, quite dirty.
The pastor looked at the manager and said, "I don't believe there is such a thing as soap. If it were true, then all people would be clean."
The manger said, "But pastor. They must first USE the soap."
The pastor said, "Exactly, my friend. Exactly my point."
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Lev 13:12-17
12 And if a leprosy break out abroad in the skin, and the leprosy cover all the skin of him that hath the plague from his head even to his foot, wheresoever the priest looketh;
13 Then the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: it is all turned white: he is clean.
14 But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.
15 And the priest shall see the raw flesh, and pronounce him to be unclean: for the raw flesh is unclean: it is a leprosy.
16 Or if the raw flesh turn again, and be changed unto white, he shall come unto the priest;
17 And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the plague be turned into white; then the priest shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: he is clean.
KJV
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Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, is caused by a bacteria that lives within the body. Not until the 1940's was a cure found for this dreaded disease, which disabled millions. And even then, a new form of the bacteria evolved which resisted the drug dapsone used to treat the disease. Then in the 1980's a new treatment was found. MDT, or multidrug therapy, can now heal almost every case of leprosy.
I've often wondered at the description in the verses above. First, the person had to come willingly to the priest. If the person were completely covered, then he/she was pronounced CLEAN! (See verse 13 above.) Isn't that amazing! However, if parts of the body were "raw," then the person was pronounced UNclean!
Leprosy in the Bible spiritually represents sin. We are all leprous with sin. And we must all come before the High Priest of God, Jesus, in order to be cleansed.
As strange as it may seem, it is the person who recognizes that he/she is totally covered with sin, and completely sinful that comes to Christ and is forgiven and cleansed. When a person recognizes total defilement, and surrenders to Christ, that person is pronounced CLEAN!!
When sin is unfelt and unconfessed, it is spiritual leprosy.
When sin is felt, and confessed, the blood of Christ and the grace of God cleanses and covers.
Nothing is more deadly than self-righteousness. It is only when we confess to Christ that we are completely covered with sin that we are received, forgiven and cleansed.
Jesus said, "....and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)
Come to the High Priest of God daily, confessing the pollution of spiritually leprosy -- sin. He will lovingly forgive and cleanse.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Love ya,
Bruce