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Saturday, October
31, 2009
Cleansing
Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young
man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (KJV)
Strong’s definition of ‘cleanse’:
OT:2135 zakah (zaw-kaw'); a primitive
root [compare OT:2141]; to be translucent; figuratively, to be
innocent: KJV - be (make) clean, cleanse, be clear, count pure.
When most people think of the word
‘cleanse’ what first comes to mind is washing with water, or as in most of
today’s religious organizations, baptism. Yet, if you look at the rest of
the verse above you see that it is by taking heed to the Word of God is
what will continue to cleanse one’s way before Him.
Cleansing with water is only temporary;
now, think about that for a moment. So why do many think that by baptism
(meaning the physical dunk tank routine) it keeps one clean before the
Lord? One can cleanse themselves with water every day and yet one will
begin to get soiled and start to stink if they don’t keep doing it. The
physical baptism was temporary until the permanent baptism in Christ was
given. And it is only in Him that we can remain clean of all filthiness and
unrighteousness (Spiritually). In the end, it is the inward cleansing that
enables one to be counted pure before God.
The cleansing being spoken of above is an
inward cleansing of one’s heart and mind by the washing of the Word which
brings about our innocents before God. It also brings about a translucency which
enables others to see the pure river of living waters that flow within you,
and that not being of yourself, but Christ in you continually cleansing
your way, as you continue to abide in Him.
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto
even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of
the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ: (KJV)
It is the Spiritual baptism that begins
the cleansing process within us, and we make the choice if we will continue
to cleanse our way by taking heed thereto according to the Word of God.
Taking heed in Psalms 119:9 means to
observe, attend to, to guard or to protect. It is speaking of your clean
way of living before God. There are many things in this world that can
defile one if allowed in, so enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not
in the way of evil men; avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass
away. Let the cleansing (washing of the Word) continue in you.
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