Cleaner than ‘Clean’

                                               

            “I’ve been clean for six months!” These words are not uncommon among those who reside at our Rescue Mission in Youngstown, OH. Such testimonies are literally applauded during a chapel service where someone is celebrating freedom from alcohol or drugs. “Clean” means they have not had a drink or drug “fix” for six months, which is a tremendous milestone to one who knows the devastating power of drug addiction.

            “Clean” is a beautiful word. In the physical realm, it speaks of purity, health, clarity, freedom from disease. What is more powerfully descriptive than Jesus “cleansing the ten lepers?” The Bible also uses this word to depict one’s inner spiritual condition after saving grace has come. Jesus said, “Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (Jno. 15:3)

This is deeper than mere body cleansing; rather it describes a purging of the soul from sin, an inner purification through the miraculous “new birth.” (Jno. 3:3) Here is a transforming work of God whereby a “new heart” (spiritual nature) is put in place; this new, undefiled nature now is capable of manifesting genuine love for God and man.

            I’m “clean” not only from sinful habits, but from the bondage and condemnation of sin. Since Jesus “paid it all” on the Cross, I have been delivered and purged from sin’s defilement. The prophet Isaiah said, “Come, let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isa.1:18) No matter what the stain, the blood of Christ can make “the foulest clean.”

            As a young, inner-city boy, I had a “junk” business collecting old papers, rags and metal. When I first took rags to the junk dealer, he immediately began to empty the sack containing rags of all colors. I wondered why he was so intent in seeing my multi-color display. He then made it clear that he would accept any color rag but red; he said the paper factory could get the colors blue, yellow, green, etc. out of any rag, but could not get the red out!

This bit of my personal history lay dormant for years until I read Isaiah’s words, “Though your sins be as scarlet (red), they shall be as white as snow.” God has made provision to cleanse the indelible crimson stains of sin! God alone can “get the red out.” The hymn writer issues this personal challenge:

            “Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?” (Chorus):

            “Are you washed in the blood, in the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?”

It must be quickly stated that this ongoing cleansing is not automatic. As Jesus said, “Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” The Bible is God’s instrument of purification and growth. Jesus prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them through the Truth, Thy word is Truth.” (Jno. 17:17) What we do with the Word, God will do with us. He went on to say, “If ye continue in my word…ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Jno. 8:31, 32) 

Thankfully, the Word not only cleanses, but sets the believer free; thus, to have liberty in Christ is not a license to do wrong, but rather the freedom to do right! That’s as “clean” as it gets this side of Heaven.

Teen Sues Parents for ‘Child Support’—What’s Next?

            A teenager in New Jersey is suing her parents for “immediate support, current private school fees, and future college tuition.” She claims that her mother and father “tossed her out of their home and cut her off financially.” Her parents, meanwhile, say that their daughter Rachel Canning, 18, moved out willingly after “refusing to abide by their rules.”

            Rachel’s father, Sean Canning, is a town administrator and retired policeman. He shared with the Daily Record how much he and his wife love and miss Rachel. “This is terrible. It’s killing me and my wife…We have a child we want home…and now we’re getting hauled into court.” He explains the “rules” in question as her reconsideration of a problematic boyfriend, “being respectful, and abiding by her curfew.”  What loving and serious parents with young adult children have not faced similar issues?

            But this scenario takes parenting to a whole new level. Every normal family in history has faced similar difficulties and heartaches in raising children. Granted that some children are more cooperative and pliable than others, but all have rebelled in varying degrees. No parent has ever had to teach a child to do wrong---they do that automatically. “Behave yourself” and “do right” are valid mottos of childrearing, along with parental discipline to correct wrong behavior. It’s not uncommon for a rebellious teenager to leave home for a time until conflicts can be resolved; but to blatantly sue well-meaning parents for “child support” is ludicrous.

            What’s happened to respect and gratitude of children for their parents? Rebellion toward authority abounds everywhere. This father had several reasonable conditions (rules) that Rachel was to follow, but she refused; therefore, she lost her privileges, which was only right. Evidently her action was prompted by some outside influence, namely, her best friend’s father—attorney John Inglesino. Wouldn’t you know that instead of attempting to reconcile Rachel with her parents, Mr. Inglesino is “bankrolling Rachel’s lawsuit.” In fact, according to the paper, he’s already requesting in the lawsuit that the Cannings reimburse him $12,597 for legal fees!

            Something is radically wrong with this picture. Many of us remember the “ol’ days” when fathers and mothers ruled the household with loving firmness. There was a semblance of peace because unruly children were dealt with properly. Obedience was honored, and brought reward. Submissive and teachable children were happy and content.  If one rebelled against parental authority and left home, they had no where to go. The attempt to stay at a friend’s home raised a “red flag” with those parents who were sure to ask questions. Parents stuck together, not hesitating to make a phone call to help reconcile the situation. What’s happened to that attitude today?

            Rachel’s so-called “best friend,” along with her father, has only exacerbated the problem. Here’s a father who should have empathy toward Sean Canning, doing everything possible to get Rachel back home. Instead he’s part of the problem, literally making a “federal case” out of a solvable family setback. Shame on this ego-centric and greedy attorney!

The Law can never take the place of loving and firm parents. The courts will never fulfill the inner needs of this young lady, who has chosen to rebel against the folks who love her the most. Parental guidance is a God-send to govern and nurture a child’s developmental years. To spurn this gift is the height of selfishness and ingratitude. Rachel needs to repent of her “bratty” spirit and seek her parent’s forgiveness; she might also seriously consider the far-reaching consequences of “biting the hand” that has so graciously “fed” her for 18 years!