“25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it;
26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,
27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
Jesus gave Himself for the Church so that He may sanctify it and cleanse it with the washing by the Word. The Word of God is given for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that we may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Jesus Christ is not coming back for a weak and beggarly church. He is not returning for a church bound by sin because the preacher told them their sin was acceptable to God. That preacher; that man or woman, who is condoning sin to get people in the pews and entertain them will answer to God themselves.
It is up to each and every Child of God to search the Scriptures for ourselves and to look unto the Cross of Christ for ability to do what the Word says It will do…cleanse us; sanctify us by the power of God. It is the ministry of Holy Spirit to perform this cleansing in our hearts. As we look unto Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the Source and the means by which we are given these precious promises of God and are made free from the power of sin, the Holy Spirit is commissioned to superintend the work of God in our heart.
Looking unto another way, another method or vain philosophy presented as Biblical doctrine, does not afford us the power of the Holy Spirit. He (the Holy Spirit) is not commissioned to superintend the work of God in our hearts and to cleanse us from that which is not pleasing to Jesus when we are looking to 40 days of purpose or 21 days of fasting.
Only through the Blood of Christ Jesus are we sanctified and cleansed. Jesus, the Word manifest in the flesh, gave Himself that we may be sanctified. We are without excuse. Whosoever calls themselves a Child of God, all who are called by His Name…we who are born again, have His Word and the Holy Spirit that we may be sanctified.
Why then do so many choose not to be cleansed? Because they are serving another. Seeking to please man and not God. Living their best life now, they too will give an account.
There is a cleansing; a sanctifying power of the Grace of God afforded whosoever will believe by the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Seek Him and His Righteousness. Know in Whom you have believed. Be washed. Be cleansed. Stand still and know that the Blood of Jesus is sufficient for all the you need…no matter the circumstances, He is worthy of our praise.
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 7:1
-Donna Clark Warren
Living in The Spirit 