Part III: Cleansing Ourselves

Parts I & II of this post go over the two key types of cleansing:

1. The Cleansing Work of Christ for Salvation
2. The Cleansing Work of the Holy Spirit through Sanctification 

We also established that we are given responsibilities over our heart, mind, soul, strength, and actions.  It is important to understand that when we allow sin to fester it will eventually disrupt everything it touches - our hearts, minds, strength, actions, our relationship with God and with others.

 "... let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," - Hebrews 12:1

In this part we will look at our responsibility in the cleansing work of sanctification.  Let's look at some verses:

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." - 1 Timothy 2:21

"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." - 2 Corinthians 7:1

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good" - Isaiah 1:16-17

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." - James 4:8

"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." - 1 John 3:2-3

So what about the verses above?  What does it means to cleanse ourselves?

"He went on: 'What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.'” - Mark 7:20-23

Mark 7:20-23 points out that the defilement comes from within, it is a spiritual battle, therefore the cleansing must be a spiritual cleansing.  It's not just stopping a behavior or asking for forgiveness over and over (although they are important parts of the process).

Let's see what we can glean from the verses above.

• 1 Timothy 2:21 points out that cleansing involves setting ourselves apart from what is dishonorable.  This means that we remove ourselves from situations and influences that will lead to sin.  This might mean ending friendships, getting rid of your smartphone, not watching that Netflix show anymore, etc.  
• Isaiah 1:16-17 points out that ceasing evil and doing good show that a cleansing has taken place.  It's not enough to simply refrain from evil, a cleansed heart and mind will replace it will serving God.
• James 4:8 points out that the hands and the heart must be cleansed.  Our hearts are the source of the filth and must be cleansed.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1 connects holiness and the fear of God.  Mortifying the flesh can only be motivated by our relationship with God, no other reasons will have the staying power required to accomplish the task.  
• 1 John 3:2-3 likewise points to Christ as our example, as our hope, our salvation, our portion.  When we fix our eyes on Him and sacrifice our own desires to please Him, then purification will happen.