What do a toothbrush, a scrub brush, and a toilet brush have in com- mon? Each one of
these items is a brushing tool that does a particular job. They are all used to clean. Even my two
year old knows that a toothbrush is used to clean teeth, a scrub brush is used to clean dishes, and
a toilet brush is used to clean the toilet. I would hope that you would not use a scrub brush or
even a toilet brush to brush your teeth!
These cleaning tools can remind us of what the apostle Paul said, “If you keep yourself
pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean and you will be
ready for the Master to use you for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). We know that the three
cleaning tools that I have mentioned are used for a specific task and to clean a specific object.
Three books: The Encyclopedia, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and the Bible.
As a Christian, if we need to cleanse or purify ourselves, the Encyclopedia is obviously not the
book we need to refer to. Steven Covey’s book, although very helpful and effective, is not the
answer either. If we want to purify ourselves, or if we want to prepare ourselves for the work of
God, we must refer to the Bible. It’s a specific tool, used for a specific task, to clean a specific
object.
Just like a toothbrush is used to clean our teeth, the Bible is used to clean our souls. We
must use the Bible everyday (just like we use our tooth- brush) in order to remain clean and have
a better understanding of God and His mission for us.
I am thankful for my toothbrush and my Bible!

~Justin Barnes
Azalea City church of Christ, Semmes, AL