The Washing Of The Water By The Word

“… just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word.” (Ephesians 5:25b–26).

When I was fifteen, my family took a road trip to California to visit my mom’s family. While we were there, we went camping for several days at the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Smith River runs through the park, with water so clear you could watch fish swim forty feet below the surface.

We spent every afternoon swimming and playing in the clear waters of the Smith River, using the enormous boulders to jump into the water. Talk about fun. There was another benefit to the clear river water. After playing in the water all afternoon, the natural cleansing ability of the water left us squeaky clean. It felt so good to cuddle up in a sleeping bag each evening.

Just as clear, fresh water has a natural cleansing ability for the physical body, the Word has a natural cleansing ability for our spirit. “But” you ask, “Wasn’t I made clean by the blood of Jesus?” Of course, the answer is “Yes.” Then why do we need to be cleaned by the Word?

The blood of Jesus cleanses us of all sin, leaving us as white as fresh snow. But what about all the residual dirt that is left, such as the memory of the shame of our sin and who we once were? Also, there are wrong ideas the world has taught us, along with unholy thoughts, words, and actions.

God’s written Word washes us clean deep inside our souls. It purifies our thoughts, scrubs our motives, and cleans our conscience as we absorb it and obey its truths. This is a vital part of us doing Romans 12:1-2. The Word of God is what we use to renew our mind.

There is another reason we need the washing of the water of the Word. James tells us that one part of a pure and undefiled religion is “… to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:27 CSB) Living in the world leaves a daily residue of filth and stain upon us. The world doesn’t think, talk, or act like believers. Their conduct and behavior can affect our thoughts, words, and action without the daily washing by the Word of God.

That is why we need daily Bible study. We need to be washed by the Word and cleansed of the filth the world leaves on us. Without the cleansing of the Word of God, the filth becomes a part of us.

Make it a priority to study the Word daily. If you do this for twenty-one days in a row, it will become a habit. It is a vital part of your Christian walk.

Prayer:

Father, I come to you humbly, submitting myself to You. I ask as I daily read Your Word that you would cleanse me. Cleanse me of wrong thoughts, wrong talk, and wrong actions. I ask you to make me holy and sanctified by your Word. Holy Spirit, I give you permission to show me any place in my life that is not submitted to God and His Word. Lead and guide me into all truth. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Additional Scriptures:

Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 4:12; John 17:16-19