- Purge transgressions
Psalm 65:3
Iniquities prevail against me:
As for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
In our confessions and our pleas to God we ask Him to purge and cleanse and “create in me a clean heart.” “Purge me…and I shall be clean.” Repentance goes beyond asking for forgiveness, to take the sin and guilt away, but then also to purge, cleanse, wash, clean out, renew, refresh, purify, make holy. Then in that newly purged spirit the Holy Spirit of Jesus lives, dwells, directs, guides and leads the soul into right and godly living.
It is truly right and good to ask for such a purging, for God promises to “purge away iniquities and transgressions.” God delights in purging evil, for then His beloved children will be able to live in a more peaceful and joyful environment. The Lord wants to dwell in His people and He greatly desires to bless the environment around them. That blessing includes purging away evil.
It is true that “iniquities prevail against me,” that is, it is sin that dwells within me that does what I do not want: “I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.” (Romans 7:22) Who will deliver me? Thanks be to God. Iniquities will regularly prevail, but just as regularly they can be purged away: the Spirit of Jesus in me prevails against the iniquities. God promises: I will purge; I will prevail. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.