XIII. THE CLEANSING OF SIN
`If we walk in the light, the blood of
Jesus His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.' -- 1 John 1:7,9
The same God that forgives sin also
cleanses from it. Not less than forgiveness is cleansing a promise of God, and
therefore a matter of faith. As it is indispensable, as it is impossible for
man, so is cleansing as well as forgiveness certain to be obtained from God.
And what now is this cleansing? The word comes
from the Old Testament. While forgiveness was a sentence of acquittal passed
on the sinner, cleansing was something that happened to him and in him.
Forgiveness came to him through the word: in the case of cleansing, something
was done to him that he could experience. (Lev. 8:13; 14:7,8; Num. 19:12,
31:23,24; 2 Sam. 22:21,25; 2 Chron. 5:10; Neh. 13:30; 28:21,25; Ps. 21:4;
Mal. 3:3) Consequently with us also cleansing is the inner revelation of the
power of God whereby we are liberated from unrighteousness, from the pollution
and the working of sin. Through cleansing we obtain the blessing of a pure
heart; a heart in which the Spirit can complete His operations with a view to
sanctifying us, and revealing God within us. (Ps 51:12; 73:1; Matt. 5:8; 1
Tim 1:5; 2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Pet. 1:22)
Cleansing is through the blood. Forgiveness and
cleansing are both through the blood. The blood breaks the power that sin has
in heaven to condemn us. The blood thereby also breaks the power of sin in the
heart to hold us captive. The blood has a ceaseless operation in heaven from
moment to moment. The blood has likewise a ceaseless operation in our heart,
to purify, to keep pure the heart into which sin always seeks to penetrate from
the flesh. The blood cleanses the conscience from dead works, to serve the
living God. The marvelous power that the blood has in heaven, it has also in
the heart. (John 13:10,11; Heb. 9:14; 10:22; 1 John 1:7)
Cleansing is also through the word, for the word
testifies of the blood and of the power of God. (John 14:3) Hence also
cleansing is through faith. It is a divine and effectual cleansing, but it
must also be received in faith ere it can be experienced and felt. I believe
that I am cleansed with a divine cleansing, even while I still perceive sin in
the flesh; through faith in this blessing, cleansing itself shall be my daily
experience.
Cleansing is ascribed sometimes to God or the
Lord Jesus; sometimes to man. (Ps. 51:3; Ezek. 30:25; John 13:2; 2 Cor. 7:1;
1 Tim. 5:22; 2 Tim 2:21; Jas. 4:8; 1 John 3:3) That is because God cleanses
us by making us active in our own cleansing. Through the blood the lust that
leads to sin is mortified, the certitude of power against it is awakened, and
the desire and the will are thus made alive. Happy is he that understands
this. He is protected against useless endeavours after self-purification in
his own strength, for he knows God alone can do it. He is protected against
discouragement, for he knows God will certainly do it.
What we have now accordingly to lay the chief
stress upon is found in two things, the desire and the reception of cleansing.
The desire must be strong for a real purification. Forgiveness must be only
the gateway or beginning of a holy life. I have several times remarked that
the secret of progress in the service of God is a strong yearning to become
free from every sin, a hunger and thirst after righteousness. (Ps. 19:13;
Matt. 5:6) Blessed are such as thus yearn. They shall understand and receive
the promise of a cleansing through God.
They learn also what it is to do this in faith.
Through faith they know that an unseen, spiritual, heavenly, but very real
cleansing through the blood is wrought in them by God Himself.
Beloved child of God, you remember how we have
seen that it was to cleanse us that Jesus gave Himself. (Eph. 5:26; Tit. 2:14)
Let Him, let God the Lord, cleanse you. Having these promises of a divine
cleansing, cleanse yourselves. Believe that every sin, when it is forgiven
you, is also cleansed away. It shall be to you according to your faith. Let
your faith in God, in the word, in the blood, in your Jesus increase
continually: `God is faithful and righteous to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.'
Lord Go, I thank Thee for these promises. Thou givest not only
forgiveness, but also cleansing. As surely as forgiveness comes first, does
cleansing follow for every one that desires it and believes. Lord, let Thy
word penetrate my heart, and let a divine cleansing from every sin that is
forgiven me be the stable expectation of my soul. Beloved Saviour, let the
glorious, ceaseless cleansing of Thy blood through Thy Spirit in me be made
known to me and shared by me every moment. Amen.
1. What is the connection
between cleansing by God and cleansing by man himself?
2. What, according to 1 John 1:9, are the two
things that must precede cleansing?
3. Is cleansing, as well as forgiveness, the
work of God in us? If this is the case, of what inexpressible importance is it
to trust God for it. To believe that God gives me a divine cleansing in the
blood when He forgives me, is the way to become partaker of it.
4. What, according to Scripture, are the
evidence of a pure heart?
5. What are `clean hands'? (Ps. 24)