232. Sanctify and Cleanse
Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.
God promises that Jesus (the Bridegroom) will sanctify and cleanse the Church (the Bride). Jesus makes us holy and clean. The blood of Christ washes sin away = the death of Christ forgives Sin. The means of cleansing is the “washing of water by the word.” This hints of Baptism, which is water and Word. The word of God in and with the water works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and give eternal salvation to all who believe this. Faith trusts the word in the water.
Ultimately, it is the word and promise of God that sanctifies and cleanses. When this promise is believed it happens: we are holy and pure. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” [Mark 16:16}. The promise is not a fantasy, a wish, a mere hope, or a ritual; something really happens. The word has power; that word is the Gospel.The word is in the water. Believe and be sanctified and cleansed. We may not remember our Baptism, but we can “remember” it by daily repentance; the old man is drowned and a new man daily arises.
Faith sees what God sees: a clean, holy, pure, innocent and righteous person. The outlook we have on life changes, for then we have a new view of ourselves and we regard others in a different way. Reckon yourselves dead to sin; reckon yourselves clean and neat; reckon yourselves holy and pure; reckon yourselves new and fresh. This is true every day.