123. Clean
John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
The Word will make you clean; and that’s a promise. The Word of God flushing through us cleanses us. The external word from outside of us comes into our spirit within us and it cleans the soul. “Clean” is an important concept for spiritual and emotional wellbeing. Cleanliness means sins are forgiven and washed away. Cleanliness of soul brings us unfettered access to God, for only that which is clean may approach a Holy God.
More literally and directly, the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin. That blood comes into the soul through the word, which Jesus has spoken unto us. The Holy Spirit gives the faith that applies the cleaning to the person; that person is now totally accepted by the Lord. With it He grants forgiveness of sins, salvation and eternal life. This cleansing can be applied daily through repentance and faith in the Gospel, which we can read and see and hear from the Word. Once we are cleansed we are right with God, our conscience is clear and the heart begins to decide and do the good works that come from a clean heart.
The washing of the Word happens when we are baptized or when we first believe the Gospel. The continual washing happens when we daily remember our Baptism by repentance and faith. Continual cleansing happens when we hear the word of Absolution and when we receive the forgiveness of sins. Continual cleaning happens whenever we come before God and hear the Gospel. The Gospel proclaimed brings with it the faith to receive it and all the consequent blessings of it.
Without clean hands and a clean heart we cannot come into the Presence of God, so when we come to God in prayer we always make sure we come clean. We know God hears us and accepts our prayers for the sake of Jesus and in His Name.
Just a few minutes earlier on that Thursday night Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, and said, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet.” [John 13:10] He who believes and is baptized is clean, but we still walk through this world and doing so makes the feet dirty. Foot washing = repenting and believing the Gospel. Utilize this wonderful “ye are clean” promise.