Our Continuous Purification

In continuation of our study of certain words used to describe our redemption, I will discuss the word 'cleanse' as used in 1 John 1:7

"..if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin".

This Word is coined from the Greek word 'katharizo' which means - 'to purge, to purify, to make clean'. It is the same word from which we get the medical term 'catheter'. A catheter is a medical instrument (tube) that is inserted into the body of a diseased person for the purpose of continuous drainage, purification and removal of impurities from the body. This tube continually 'cleanses' the body making it free of all bad substances.

In the same way, John is affirming to us that the Blood of Jesus is a 'catheter', constantly purifying the believer of all sin, impurities and wrong doing. It (Jesus' blood) is the singular substance required for the continual cleansing of the believer.

Please note that this is an action that does not depend on you or what you do. That is, the cleansing is not triggered by any external action on your part. Just as the medical catheter works constantly (irrespective of the patient's condition, as long as it is inserted into him) to remove bodily impurities, the blood of Jesus works in the same way to always ensure that in the sight of God, you are always presented spotless, blameless, sinless and guiltless.

God's own catheter is at work to ensure that no matter the circumstance, there is NO CONDEMNATION to you who is in Christ Jesus. Therefore rejoice believer, you are purified by Jesus' blood. No need to go about feeling helpless or ashamed or worse, powerless. No use seeking an external vindication of your acceptance before God, or your worth to him.

The 'catheter' has made you clean. His blood cleanses you from all sin!

Sharing the Word...

Having thought long and hard about what to write, I have decided that henceforth my blog will contain nuggets of God's word, taking a scripture or two and dissecting its meanings from the original languages. Sometimes it may just be looking up a word in the original Greek or Hebrew and explaining it in the light of other scriptures to help you understand the true meaning.

I believe this will help believers and students of the Word alike to understand the intention behind the communicators of the Holy Writ as they were inspired of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps that's where I should start - how that God's word, though written by mortal men is actually inspired (or written) by God himself. Lets look at 2 Peter 1:20-21

"knowing this first, that no prophesy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophesy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were MOVED by the holy ghost"

The first word to look at here is - Moved which in Greek is the word 'phero'. This literally means "to bear or carry" and figuratively - 'be driven, bring forth, be driven, be inspired, uphold'.

Basically Peter is saying effectively - think not that when we (writers of the scriptures) pen words that the words are of our own interpretation or personal opinion. Indeed they have been 'driven, inspired, borne to carry' as of God's will - the Words of Truth.

Next time someone dares compare the authorship of the Word as simple mere men writing stuff, remember 2nd Peter 1:20,21. The authorship of the Bible isn't like any other religious code of conduct or ritualistic fetishes borne of the culture or tradition of the time. This is why God's word is the ONLY truth that transcends every culture, tribe or generation.

Any wonder HE is - the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8).