The word for this week is "washing". The verses we'll looking at are Titus 3:4-7 and Ephesians 5:26-27:
Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. KJV
Eph 5:26 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. KJV
Here are these verses in the Amplified Bible:
Titus 3:4 But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, 5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. AMP
Eph 5:26 So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, 27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless]. AMP
We are "washed" in the Blood, or regenerated, at the New Birth (Titus 4:6). This is the work of the Holy Spirit! Then we are "washed" clean from the ways of the world by the Word of God. Notice that it is the Lord Himself who presents us TO Himself! The work is all HIS, we just have to supply Him with the Word! Here are two songs: one for Avery from the Donut Man called: "The Bath Song":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
