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He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his Soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing From the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Ps24:4-5 St. Paul has told us that the righteous live by faith and the Psalmist has told us that he has never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread (Ps37:25) and that the Lord hears the cry of the righteous and delivers him out of all his troubles (Ps34:17). If we are righteous then we should prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers (3Jn2). We should live in the Blessing and enjoy health and true prosperity. Now the condition for righteousness is having clean hands and a pure heart, not being proud or arrogant and not having a lying tongue. It follows that some people may have faith but have not received the blessing or righteousness. Unless they fulfill the requirements of Psalm 24:4-5, though they have faith, they still do not have the blessing or righteousness and are still subject to the afflictions of the enemy. Unless they acknowledge their spiritual condition and pray for clean hands and a pure heart, their faith is vain and their desires unattainable. The righteous live by faith. The way we know we are righteous is to have received the blessing. The blessing is foremost the Spirit of God and also all the natural benefits which follow. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”(Mt6:33) Now we can clearly see why Jesus asks us to receive “his righteousness”. Not only do the righteous live by faith, the righteous receive all the benefits of being righteous, health, wealth, freedom, power over all the works of the enemy, victory, wisdom, love, joy, peace, prophesy, you name it. To get there usually requires repentance for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We must pray for clean hands, that is to say, clean on the inside from all evil and a pure heart. Most, if not all of us, need work. We must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek him (Heb11:6) It took me thirty two years to get clean hands and a pure heart. We need to take a good hard look at ourselves and see where we are lacking. Faith alone will not save. We need grace. We are saved by grace through faith. If we have not received the blessing and righteousness, look within. Look to the kingdom of God inside you and expel the darkness and live in the light. God is Light. In him there is no darkness at all (1Jn1:5) Be people of light. Be people of the day. Walk as children of light. If you do, by grace and not by works, God will breathe his Spirit into you and you will inherit all the blessings of Abraham. Have the God kind of faith. Amen |