Being Washed By the Word of God

Eph 5:25-27 - That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

As the days go by and as we draw one step closer to the coming of the Lord Jesus, this verse from Paul reminds us that we need to constantly be washed by the Word of God in order for us (i.e. the Church) to be glorious. Dear friend, it is so important that we become closer to the Word of God - As Jesus says: His Words are Spirit & Life. In the Old testament, we see a bronze basin in the design of the Tabernacle, which served two functions.. a) the mirrored base (Ex 38:8) made from the polished mirrors of women of Israel b) and water for the purpose of washing. The Word of God also serves this very same ministry in our lives.

1. Word of God reveals our need for cleansing

In James 1:22-24 , the Lord exhorts us to be not just hearers of the Word but doers and He compares the Word to a mirror which can reveal the dirt in our lives. It's like we approach a wash basin and look at the mirror to see the areas which need cleansing. Men may deceive themselves into thinking that they are living fine, when all the while, they are out of connection with God. It's only when we see the sin in our lives as God sees them, that we cry out to the Lord to save us from our sin. Only when we are aware of the sin are we aware of the need for a saviour in our life. The world around us deceives itself to think that Sin is normal, but the Lord discerns the heart and deals with each of us according to what He sees therein. (Jeremiah 17:9-10). It's only when we acknowledge our sinful state that we receive grace & forgiveness from Him. (Psa 32:5 , Psa 51:3-4).

Proverbs 30:12 reminds us that there is a group of people who are pure in their own eyes and yet, are not washed from their filthiness. As the word reveals our sin & faults, remember, we don't have to go anywhere else to be washed from our sin. The Word of God washes us.

2. The Word of God washes us and make us glorious (Eph 5:26-27)

The Lord Jesus said - John 13:8 - If I do not wash you, you have no part along with me! It's crucial for us to allow the Word of God to wash us and prepare us to be glorious, holy & undefiled. In the Old testament form of worship, we see that literally everything had to be washed before it was used of God. The priests, the sacrifices, etc needed washing. (Lev 8:6,21).

Dear friend, Whatever be your past, if you admit your sins and turn to the Lord Jesus, He can cleanse you and wash you and make you as a vessel fit for the master's use. As we are being washed by the blood of Jesus and as we allow the Word to wash us in our times of daily devotion with the Lord, He shall impart the divine nature to us (2 Peter 1:3-4)  - Our ways will change and we will be made prepared for our eternal destiny for Kingdom & Glory.

As we commit to this in our hearts, may the Lord bless you and make you experience the realities of the Kingdom of God.