Notes From the Pastor's Desk
July 6, 2025
Spiritual Cleansing
Read Jer. 33:8,9. God speaks in those verses about cleansing Israel from their iniquity. The word “iniquity” has to do with sin and impurity. That word “iniquity” is also translated “fault” and “mischief.” When God speaks of “cleansing” from them, He refers to expiating or purifying. Actually, “cleansing” speaks of pardon from God. It has the idea of forgiving us of iniquities and giving us an unalterable pardon from Christ. Just as we need to be clean to live as a decent person, the sinner must be clean if he or she is to fellowship and commune closely with God.
I. The Reason For Cleansing
The Bible makes several things crystal clear. First, man is doomed because sin stands between Him and God —that is why sin must be forgiven. Secondly, man is disobedient by nature (Eph. 2:2). It is that nature of disobedience that leads to acts of sin. Thirdly, man is dead (Eph. 2:1). Man is dead in trespasses and sins and will stay that way until spiritual cleansing takes place in the life of an individual. Because of the condition of mankind it is essential that every person be cleansed of sin.
II. The Platform For Cleansing
How can we be assured there will be the needed cleansing done in our lives? Number one, because of the work of the blood of Christ (Heb. 9:22). No one is ever cleansed of their sin by any work of the flesh, but rather it is of God. In the second place, the will of God is important. God wants no one to stay in his or her sins, because Jesus died on the cross so that all might be saved who would come to the Father, through Him, by faith. God has made ample provision for every sinner to be made clean if we will only listen to the instructions in the Word of God.
III. The Rewards Of Cleansing
Be sure that it insures us of a home in heaven when life is over (Jn. 14:1-3). Only those who have been made the righteousness of God in Christ will know the joys of heaven. As well, it ensures that we will have a helpful Companion as we go through this life (John 14:17). The Holy Spirit of God moves into the heart and the life of the one who receives Christ as Savior. Last, there is a holy nature (2 Pet. 1:4). It is easy for the old nature to sin, but the new nature in us cannot sin, for it is holy seed.