God’s Cleansing

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.” (Ezekiel 36:25)

This is the second part of God’s prophetic word and promise to restore His people, and it involves God’s cleansing.

The law of purification not only involves the sprinkling of water, but also of blood. And the concept is clear; our sin must be dealt with before ministry can occur.

King David understood this saying, “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:2)

And so a cleansing is needed, followed by repentance, which not only involves knowing what we’re doing wrong, but turning away from it and towards God.

David understood that such a cleansing was needed, but also knew that the rituals and sacrifices of the Law were insufficient without there being a change of heart and spirit.

“For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart.” (Psalm 51:16-17)

God makes it clear that without blood there’s no real cleansing.

“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)

This was the purpose of Jesus’ coming, to be that sacrificial lamb whose shed blood cleanses us from sin.

“Having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19-22)

That which cleanses us today from our sin are not set rituals or the following of rules; rather it’s through the blood Jesus Christ shed upon the cross. This is the new and living way.

Before we can step into God’s restoration, we need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus through confession and repentance.