Cleansing By The Word Of God

by J.D. Terrell, Carlisle, England | Category: General | Nov 1996

'Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word' (Ps. 119:9).

There is no doubt that the Bible is an intensely practical and realistic hook. 'If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us' (1 John 1:8). If there was one thing which the Lord Himself abhorred in men it was hypocrisy; pretending purity and parading piety when inwardly they were full 'of all uncleanness' (Mat. 23:27). So do not let any of us fall into the mistake of closing our eyes to the need for spiritual cleansing if we are going to prove effective, and happy, Christians.

Now it is a good habit to try to get our doctrine clear from the Scriptures on any subject we are considering. This will always save a lot of confusion later. And there is a passage in the Gospel of John which makes very clear an important truth about spiritual cleansing. It is in John chapter 13 where the Lord Jesus says to Peter, 'He that is bathed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit'. This was the occasion when, as the Lord washed His disciples' feet, Peter protested, 'Not my feet only, but also my hands and my head'. Here the Lord shows very distinctly the difference between 'bathe' and 'wash'. Much of the significance lies in the two quite distinct Greek words. The bathing, or 'all over' washing, speaks of the cleansing from sin which each believer on the Lord Jesus knows on putting faith in the Saviour. This all-over washing is effected by faith in the word of God concerning the shedding of the blood of Christ (Eph. 1:7; 1 John 1:7). The washing of the feet speaks of a necessary daily experience of cleansing from the sin which, as we see from 1 John chapter one, we all Commit from day to day.

Let us just pause for a brief, thankful moment to think of that 'bathing' of which the Master spoke. We read about that again in Paul's letter to the Ephesians chapter five. Christ cleansed the Church which He loved and gave Himself for, by 'the washing of water with the Word'. This takes us to Calvary where God's spotless and pure Lamb gave His life-blood for our salvation. Here is the dedication place for Christians.

But consecrated servants of God have always realized their uncleanness before Him (see Isaiah 6:5), and the need for daily cleansing, as did the priests of Israel at the laver of the Tabernacle (see Exodus 30:17-21). As the water associated with our initial cleansing was the Word of God, so is the water for daily cleansing, the same Word. Which brings us to our text-heading - a question and answer from Psalm 119 which need to burn themselves into every Christian's heart. The very purity of God's Word has a purifying power in our lives if it is applied like any other cleansing agent, in a disciplined and regular way. Nothing else can be substituted, and just how we use and apply this source of cleansing calls for serious thought. 'Prevention - better than cure' is a pretty familiar maxim, and transparently true. So, clearly, the morning 'application' of the Scriptures to our hearts is indicated. No greater deterrent to sin exists than the morning Scripture portion, read and stored carefully in the mind and heart. Remember Psalm 119 verse 11, 'Thy word have I laid up in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee'. Then comes evening, and the failures and sins of the day can only be adequately revealed for confession and forgiveness, by the same penetrating light, from the Word - penetrating with both illumination and with healing.

Then let us remember that, even apart from sin in the act in ourselves, there is defilement from contact with others. This too needs cleansing - the table-talk in the canteen; the language of your fellow-straphanger in the tube; all these and many more daily experiences we can think of which leave stains. (Read about this in Numbers chapter 19 where Israelites required the 'water of separation' to be sprinkled for cleansing, even when accidental defilement had taken place). This kind of defilement can be a prelude to sharing in other people's sins. We know the whole range of suggestiveness and enticement with which we are all daily, and relentlessly, bombarded - 'the corruption that is in the world by lust' (2 Pet. 1:4). Even that highly spiritual young man, Timothy, needed Paul's uncompromising exhortation - 'Keep thyself pure' (1 Tim. 5:22).

It is only thus that the disciple of the Lord Jesus can appear before God in His house in holy priesthood service - the highest service of all. With the 'let us draw near' of Hebrews chapter 10 we are reminded of the truth of 'hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our body washed with pure water'. Similarly Psalm 24 teaches 'clean hands, and a pure heart' for those who would 'stand in His holy place'. Spiritually clean hands and feet are a source of power for, and with God.

Question:'Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?'

Answer:'By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word'.

J.D. Terrell, Carlisle, England | Nov 1996
General