Wash, Rinse, Repeat
Luke 9:23
· The term lather, rinse, and repeat was developed by Proctor & Gamble to be placed as directions for how one was to clean their hair using their product. Interestingly enough, the reason for this wasn’t because they were concerned you needed clean hair but rather you would return more frequently to purchase your next bottle. Washing your hair every day actually can damage your hair.
· “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”- NOT Albert Einstein but rather Al-Anon, part of their 12-step program for alcohol and substances of abuse.1
· So, wash, rinse, repeat can be a BAD thing:
o Doing the same things repeatedly can mean we do things without thinking.
o Habits are practiced without understanding why.
o Sometimes we are doing things that are no longer fruitful.
o Sometimes we do things because “everyone else” is doing it.
o WASH, RINSE, REPEAT can lead to legalism and religion. Matthew 23:23
· When wash, rinse, repeat is a good thing. Luke 9:23
o Salvation is NOT a one-time occurrence, but rather a daily choice. Joshua 24:14-15
o What this looks like when it is practiced correctly: Acts 15:1-12
The question is this: Who or what is at the center when division occurs?
Proctor & Gamble tries to sell you more shampoo, why, it benefits them.
The Pharisees tried to sell things for God, and who did benefit? Them.
Today, religion tries to sell Jesus. Who does it benefit? Them.
The church was never meant to be a place to convince people to buy Jesus. A pastor was not called to be a pitchman or a salesman, but rather a person that points you back to the center, Jesus. It is not about what is in the offering plate, but rather,
Who is in the hearts of men and women?
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1 1981 October 11, The Knoxville News-Sentinel Al-Anon Helps Family, Friends to Orderly Lives by Betsy Pickle (Living Today Staff Writer), Quote Page F17, Column 2, Knoxville, Tennessee.