I was thinking about how we (who are followers of Jesus) can become clean from our sins. Our lives start off with stuff on us and in us that needs to be washed off or flushed out. We have contamination from our previous lawless deeds, our past transgressions, our rebellion against God’s will, and even the filth of this world.     Like pilgrims walking on a dusty trail, even after being initially washed clean, our feet get dirty each day. In our evangelical theology, the basis for cleansing from sins is the blood of Christ. Without Jesus having sacrificed his life on the cross, there would be no atonement, no removal of sin’s power or of its guilt.

    But let’s face it – sometimes we resist being bathed. Ever have a toddler needing a bath that fought you every step of the way? Everyone will get wet! This reminded me of a story I picked up somewhere that shows how hard it is to bathe a reluctant animal.

    “How to Bathe a Cat”  

    Thoroughly clean the toilet. Add the required amount of shampoo to the toilet water, and have both lids lifted. Obtain the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. You may need to stand on the lid so that he cannot escape. Do not get any part of your body too close to the edge, as his paws will be reaching out for any thing they can find.

    “Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a ‘power wash and rinse’ which I have found to be quite effective. Have someone open the door to the outside and ensure that there are no people between the toilet and the outside door. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids. The now-clean cat will rocket out of the toilet, and run outside where he will dry himself. — Sincerely, the dog.”

    I could paraphrase this story by writing “How to Baptize a Stubborn Human.” Have you been baptized? I have. It is wet and messy but wonderful. Baptism in water is more than a religious ritual or symbolic act. It is a type of spiritual bath. It is a testimony that our sins are washed away as we identify with Jesus as our savior. It is a path to discipleship.

    But there is another type of cleansing that occurs in our lives that is important but often neglected. It is being washed with “the water of the word.” This is found in Ephesians 5:26, where Paul discusses Christ and the church in the role of husband and wife. In this picture, the husband washes his beloved bride with words that cleanse her. It is his sacrificial love that bathes her, that earns loyalty and trust, and which sets her apart from the world to himself. How precious are the words of the Lord Jesus when spoken to his cherished bride here on the earth! We need to hear His voice, don’t we?

    Likewise, when believers are walking in the love of God for one another in the church, we are able to confess our faults one to another and then pray one for another so we can be healed. (James 5:16)

    We are to overcome sin by confessing them and forsaking them. As the Word says in 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light as He himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

    The three steps are each vital: light, fellowship, cleansing. The light of God illuminates our lives as we fellowship together. In the bonds of covenantal love, as we humbly confess our sins, we are cleansed. How? By the heavenly super-detergent of Jesus’ blood! What an awesome promise. This practical sanctification process occurs without effort during our daily fellowship.

    Ron Wood is a writer and pastor. Contact him at wood.stone.ron@gmail.com.