The "word" for this week will be two words: "clean/cleanse" because, of course, they go together! We'll look first of all at 1 John 1:9:
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. KJV
"Cleanse" here is the Greek word "katharizo". Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to make clean from physical stains and dirt, from disease (as in leprosy), from defilement of sin, from the guilt of sin, to consecrate. I like the Amplified Bible for this!
9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. AMP
By our act of obedience to confess the sin that we know, we put ourselves in position to have Him also cleanse us from the things that we are not even aware of as sin yet! Continuously! The word clean is the adjective of the verb for cleanse and is found in Luke 5:12-13 and John 13:6-10:
12 And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. KJV
6 When He came to Simon Peter, [Peter] said to Him, Lord, are my feet to be washed by You? [Is it for You to wash my feet?] 7 Jesus said to him, You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later on. 8 Peter said to Him, You shall never wash my feet! Jesus answered him, Unless I wash you, you have no part with (in) Me [you have no share in companionship with Me]. 9 Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, [wash] not only my feet, but my hands and my head too! 10 Jesus said to him, Anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is clean all over. And you [My disciples] are clean, but not all of you. AMP
This is the Greek word "katharos". Vine's Expository Dictionary says: free from impure admixture, without blemish, spotless, pure, blameless, innocent. In the first example the leper was healed of the disease that had attacked his body. In the second, we see the instance where Jesus was washing the feet of the disciples. Peter thought that he was being humble by refusing to let Jesus wash his feet, but Jesus was trying to show to them that once they were born again (after the resurrection) and made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), then they only needed to confess their sin to remain "clean". In other words, they didn't need to get "born again, again". So, 1 John 1:9 is our "foot washing"! No more "dirty feet"! Just confess the sin and receive the forgiveness and the cleansing! I am SO thankful for THAT! Here is Hillsong Live with "God Who Saves":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
