Where Are The Other?

I was doing a personal bible reading this morning and read this part (Luke 17:12-19).. Read this section and pretend that you're both the leper that return to thank Jesus then read it again pretending that you're the leper that did not return to thank Jesus.

"As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."" Luke 17:12-19 (niv)

We can apply this Scripture to our lives today! My question is, "Are we the "leper who did not return to Jesus", who ought to give thanks to Jesus or are we the "leper who returned to Jesus" to give our thanks for what He has done for us? Those who formerly lived in the world were called, "sinners condemned to death" or in other words, "a leper". A person with "leprosy" has a non-curable-disease unless brought to Jesus. A person with "sin" has a non-eternity-with-God unless brought to Jesus! A person with sin has been eternally separated from God.

"Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong." Hab. 1:13 (niv)

Though, here's another powerful verse for you to remember:

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24 (niv)

Do you remember what you "formerly" did before you came to Jesus for forgiveness of your sins? Have you put off your "old self" and put on a "new attitude; self" and continue to be "like God" in true, I said it again, true righteousness and holiness?

What does true righteousness mean to you? And what does true holiness mean also?

Do you know what is "right" before the eyes of the Lord in word and deed? And not before your own eyes?

True holiness leads us to become a spiritual person, a new creation unlike the "former person you used to be in thought and deed", a regenerating soul, produced away from confusion and emptiness, with God's Almighty power at work in our lives, giving God the glory in everything we do, living a joyful life regardless of each and any circumstances, resembling the Lord, and being exhorted to purify our hearts and minds and life!

But, daily, we may often fail to fall before Jesus' feet giving Him our thanks for leading us to daily live a righteous and holy life. How often do we fail to come before God in worship expressing our thanks like the "9 lepers" who failed to return to Jesus? How often do we kneel before God in prayer repenting from our sins and "still" thanking Him for washing them away?

Do you hear Him say to you each time you come to Him say, "Rise and go, your faith has made you well."