A preacher was walking down a street when he met the owner of a company that made soap. As they talked, the soapmaker said, “The gospel you preach can’t be very good for there are still a lot of wicked people in the world.”

The preacher noticed a child nearby making mud pies. The tot was smeared with dirt from head to toe. The preacher said to his friend, “Your soap can’t be very good, for there is still a lot of dirt in the world.” The man responded, “Well, it cleanses only when a person uses it.”

“Exactly!” said the preacher.

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1-2)

Tags: clean, holiness