“Your teeth are life a flock of shorn sheep Which have come up from the washing…” (Song of Solomon 4:2 NKJ).
“Sheep which have come up from the washing.” What a beautiful picture of the Christian Church. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd. We are the sheep who follow the Shepherd. This verse calls the sheep a flock, the very word Jesus used when He said to His disciples: Fear not, little flock….(Luke 12:32).
This word washing is so descriptive of our salvation. The world of sin in which we lived prior to conversion is a polluted place. We became soiled and stained just walking through it. Our garments became spotted, we were left defiled and unclean.
The Lord has opened a fountain in Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness (Zech. 13:1). Now He challenges us: “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean…” (Isa. 1:16 NKJ). John says of the redeemed: “…These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14).
Christ laid down His Life for the Church that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word (Eph. 5:26). Now we are urged to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Heb. 10:22).
There is a good feeling when you have showered and bathed and know you are clean. There is a greater feeling knowing your sins have been washed away. Jesus told His disciples: Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken… (John 15:3). What a privilege to be truly clean!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.