Transferring Dirt or Getting Clean

The Scripture that has been in my mind a good part of the
day is Haggai 2:11-13:

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests what
the law says: If someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of their garment,
and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food,
does it become consecrated?’ The priests answered, ‘No.’ Then Haggai said, ‘If
a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does
it become defiled?’ ‘Yes,’ the priests replied, ‘it becomes defiled.’”

Notice this! Defilement, uncleanness, and dirt can be
transferred. Cleanliness cannot be transferred. If I pour clean water into
dirty water, does that make the dirty water clean? No! If I pour dirty water
into clean water, does that make the clean water dirty? Yes! If I have dirty
hands and shake your clean hand, do I transfer dirt to you, or do you transfer
clean to me?

Dirt is transferred!

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1
Cor 15:33).

Washing gets rid of dirt.

“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you
were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by
the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11).

Written December 2010.

This post coordinates with today’s reading in the To
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