CLEANSED

Job asked the question, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?” Job 14:4

He went on to answer, “There is not one.” Job 14:4

Is Job correct, can we or can we not be CLEANSED?

Why did the Psalmists plea to be CLEANSED?

He cried out, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, andCLEANSE me from my sin.” Psalm 51:1-2

He continued to cry out, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be CLEAN; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

He did not think his plea to be CLEANSED was pointless and pleaded, “Create in me a CLEAN heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

But, the Proverbs writer asked, “Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9

Isaiah the prophet has a powerful message about being CLEANSED. He writes: “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool, if you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 1:18-20.    

One can be CLEANSED if they are, “Willing and obedient” to receive God’s CLEANSING.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote regarding God’s desire to CLEANSE. “I will CLEANSE them from all the guilt of their sins against Me, and I will forgive all their sin and rebellion against Me.” Jeremiah 33:8

The prophet Ezekiel wrote regarding God’s longing to save His people, “I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will CLEANSE them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 37:23

Jesus in His personal ministry was asked if He would CLEANSE and He responded, without hesitation, “I will; be CLEAN.” Matthew 8:1-3  

Many quote John 3:16 and the verse that follows confirms that Jesus did not come to condemn but to CLEANSE.  John 3:17

John also writes, “Not all of you are CLEAN.”  John 13:11

So, what is the answer, can we, are can we not be CLEANSED? 

Paul wrote, “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having CLEANSED her by the washing with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

The scriptures are clear. We can be CLEANSED provided we are CLEANSED by Christ and in His church.