Cleaning up our act (Life's Laundry) 

There comes a moment in every believer’s life when the Holy Spirit presses upon the soul with a holy urgency: It is time to clean up. Not simply in the way the world thinks—tidying up our habits, decluttering our schedules—but in a far deeper, soul-wrenching way. The question before us is this: Are we living in alignment with the Word of God?

Jesus did not die to give us a half-hearted, lukewarm Christianity. He did not call us to occasional righteousness and frequent compromise. He calls us to holiness. “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). This is no gentle suggestion. It is a command from the King of Kings. If we take it seriously, it means radical transformation.

Many Christians today have settled for a diluted faith, a Christianity that blends so seamlessly into the culture that it is barely distinguishable. But the call of Christ is not to blend in. It is to stand out. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). The pursuit of holiness is not about legalism. It is about love—love for the Saviour who gave His life to set us free from the bondage of sin. Holiness is not optional for the Christian. Hebrews 12:14 is clear: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Without holiness, we will not see Him. Not because our works save us, but because holiness is the fruit of true salvation. The truly converted soul longs to be holy.

Spiritual cleansing requires fearless self-examination. The Word of God, sharper than a double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), cuts through our excuses and exposes the sin we have tolerated for too long. The Holy Spirit convicts us of hidden idols—whether entertainment, relationships, money, or pride. The Christian who desires to align with the Word must begin with repentance. Repentance is not merely feeling sorry for sin; it is turning from it. Sin is not merely a mistake—it is rebellion against a holy God. To continue in it is to harden our hearts. To confess and forsake it is to walk in the light (1 John 1:9).

Ask yourself: What am I tolerating in my life that Christ died to free me from? Are there areas where I have compromised, where I have justified sin? If we are serious about cleaning up our lives, we must be ruthless. Cut off what drags you down. If your entertainment choices glorify immorality, abandon them. If your friendships lead you into ungodliness, reconsider them. If your words do not reflect Christ, restrain them. Jesus said, “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away” (Matthew 5:30). This is not a call to self-mutilation, but to radical repentance.

True transformation does not come by sheer willpower, but by the power of the Word. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). To align ourselves with the Word, we must immerse ourselves in it daily. The Word of God is not a supplement to our lives—it is our life. A neglected Bible is a neglected soul. Many Christians wonder why they struggle spiritually, why their joy is weak, why their faith feels fragile. The answer is simple: They have starved themselves of Scripture. The enemy knows that if he can keep us from the Word, he can keep us weak. But if we delight in the Word, meditating on it day and night (Psalm 1:2), we will be like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in season.

Cleaning up your lifestyle is not simply about removing sin; it is about pursuing righteousness. It is about being filled with the Spirit so that the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—flourishes in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). The Spirit empowers us to live as we ought, but He does not override our choices. We must yield to Him, seek Him, and ask Him to search us and lead us in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). If we are too busy, too distracted, or too enamoured with the world, we will quench the Spirit. But if we seek Him earnestly, He will fill us afresh.

Jesus calls us to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). A dim, flickering light will not pierce the darkness. We are called to shine brightly. The world does not need more Christians who look and act just like it. It needs Christians whose lives are so radically different that they provoke curiosity, wonder, and ultimately, conviction. When a Christian is truly aligned with the Word—when their life has been cleaned of compromise and filled with holiness—they will be unmistakable. Their words will carry weight. Their presence will exude grace. Their actions will reflect Christ.

Brothers and sisters, the time is now. Do not delay the work of spiritual housecleaning. Do not put off the call to holiness. Christ is coming. And when He returns, may He find us ready. May He find us faithful. May He find us walking in the light, unashamed and full of joy. If you belong to Christ, then live like it. Align your life with the Word. Clean up what needs to be cleaned. Walk in holiness, for His glory and your eternal joy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)