Cleaned And Pressed
by Nancy Harry
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Eph 5:25-28 NIV
When Jesus/Yeshua returns, he is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle. ‘Without spot or wrinkle’; what does that mean? For example, think of a nice crisp shirt. It’s been washed with soap and water, and as a result it is now clean. It’s been through the heat; wrung and dried. Then, starched and ironed. You now have a shirt without spot or wrinkle.
God’s church is made up of all those around the world who accept Jesus/Yeshua as their Savior, their Messiah, having received his offer of forgiveness of sin. They’ve begun on a new journey, leaving their past behind and striving towards a better life. They purify themselves by obeying the truth; the Word of God.
…pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. 1 Tim 6:11-12 NIV
They follow the example of Jesus/Yeshua; living a life of love towards God and love towards others. They have discovered a new life of holiness.
…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV
If you believe in Jesus/Yeshua, you have been washed with water by the Word of God. You have been through the heat and dried by the experiences of life, building character and strength. Through the shedding of Jesus’/Yeshua blood, his sacrifice for you, you have been starched with his righteousness. And the Holy Spirit’s direction and guidance presses out the wrinkles as you walk in God’s ways.
Is this you? Are you without spot or wrinkle? Have you been cleaned and pressed?
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
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