The Joy of Purging

It is so easy for people who live in a full world to forget the joy of purging. The physical body is kept healthy only when it is properly purged at intervals. Our emotions need relief and a good cry can do wonders for our emotional health. It is GodÂ’s built-in system to purge us of the overload from our too-hurried lifestyle.

As they grow, our children will gather unto themselves ideas and emotions that need purging and parents are given the joy of that task. The word rod, as in "spare the rod and spoil the child," is actually a beautiful word that speaks of tribal living or living within the family circle. ItÂ’s the same as the "shepherdÂ’s rod" and carries the idea of purging for disciplined living or learning to live in a happy union of family.

Our Heavenly Father will not accept us into His sainted family unless we submit to His purging. The Word of God says, "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." (Hebrews 12:5-8) Our effeminate church world has forgotten this kind of truth! Therefore, the Christian church, as a whole, knows nothing of the joy of being spiritually purged for joyous living. Professing Christians are loaded with baggage and emotionally overweight. The result is stress and emotional breakdown that leaves them popping pills and seeking a psychiatrist. What they really need is a spiritual purging that will give wings to living.

The quotation above from Hebrews was actually a quotation itself from Proverbs. Solomon made the idea of purging or chastening of the Lord one of the grandest ideas of successful living. His words from the Holy Ghost take my breath away because they are so beautiful and powerful. He starts by making it clear that these were words from His Heavenly Father, spoken directly to him. "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her." (Proverbs 3:11-18)

Are you surrendered to God in such a manner that He is free and welcome to chasten and correct you? A multitude of Christians fit the description of Apostle PaulÂ’s words to the Corinthians. He warned them of carnal living because they refused the meat of truth that corrects and disciplines. "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." (1 Corinthians 3:1-2) The end result will be manifest at the judgment of the believers. He warned, "Every manÂ’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every manÂ’s work of what sort it is. If any manÂ’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward." (1 Corinthians 3:13-14)

The profound Christian life of great power and wisdom cannot be known by any other method but the slow, meticulous purging of the Word of God and the Spirit of God working individually in our lives. The pastor cannot perform this kind of deep, life-changing work. He can preach, teach, and even warn; but, you must submit to God and learn His voice to experience this level of spiritual development. The church is full of religious junkies, hurrying from one religious idol (preachers, singers, writers, etc.) to another; but, never stopping and listening long enough to be purged personally at the altar of His presence. Every saint of God can know His voice and His discipline on a personal level. It is so thrilling when God reveals Himself to one of His own in a way that the individual learns the truth of the fact that he or she is just as important to Him as the most noted of world renowned preachers, singers, or writers. Much of Israel backslid in the wilderness because they said to Moses, "Tell God to talk to you, and you tell us what God has said." They could not bear the awesome presence of God themselves.

You will never know the purging that brings your soul to maturity and glory until you submit to His deep cleansing. The highlight of chapter fifteen of the Book of John gives us the beautiful words of Jesus Christ and the purging of His saints. Jesus said, "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John 15:2,7-8)

Joy like a river will flow out of the life that He has personally purged for Himself. Each one of you is His personal concern; and He awaits your temple or body given, without limit or question, to His Divine workmanship. He will shape you into His own likeness and you can be a reflection of Him in this world.