Clean

 Clean every whit!

“He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet but is clean every whit….”    He uses two different words for “washed”-the first is louo, the second is nipto.  Louo refers to washing the whole body, and can be rendered “bathed”; the second refers to washing part of a body, such as face, hands etc.  In spiritual terms, the first refers to the cleansing of salvation which is a once for all removal of all defilement; the second refers to the need for daily cleansing because of contact with the defiled world.  Partaking with God, fellowship with God requires initial cleansing from the defilement of sin.  The person so washed, so cleansed requires only cleansing from daily defilement.  Both are expanded in scripture. 

Ephesians 5v25-26, referring to all believers, “Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water by the word.”  There we have the two things brought together; initial cleansing comes through the spoken word received; the regular cleansing is by confession to Him-see 1^st John 1v9, where Jesus Christ the righteous forgives every sin and cleanses us from its defilement.

Similarly in Titus 3v5 we have both aspects of cleansing “…according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”  The washing of regeneration is initial salvation; the renewal of the Holy Spirit is ongoing sanctification.  We are cleansed totally at the point of conversion; we need daily cleansing to maintain fellowship with God.  Emphasis on cleanliness is all through the scriptures; association with a Holy God demands holiness of living on our part.  Sin not only separates us from God, it defiles us in His sight.  We are not only alienated, we are putrid before Him.  Let us revel therefore in this glorious declaration by Christ “…ye are clean every whit”.  So perfect is the work of salvation within the human soul that not a stain Is left behind.  In the eyes of God, those who believe are fully cleansed.   As always the hymnwriters catch the thought...”Not a stain a new creation, Ours is such a full salvation, Low we bow in adoration…”.  Again,  “Clean every whit; Thou saidst it, Lord!  Shall one suspicion lurk? Thine, surely, is a faithful word, And Thine a finished work.”  When the judge of all the earth pronounces you clean, and fit for heaven, you know it is absolutely true. 

There remains the need for daily cleansing, we become defiled, living in a godless world; we defile ourselves by continuing in sin; we are defiled by Satan who tempts us.  The call is for regular cleansing from whatever source of defilement.  In prayer we are to “Lift up holy hands”; in preaching we are to speak as the oracles of God; in church gatherings holiness is to become us; in every aspect of life we are to be holy, for He is holy.  Total cleansing, leading to regular cleansing, is the teaching of Jesus.  Thus He underlines the need for cleansing- just as we need washing bodily, so we need cleansing spiritually.  We note it is Christ who does the cleansing both initially and progressively.  He alone is the source of sanctification with us through the Holy Spirit.  Thus we are fitted for holy service.   All of the above is brought out clearly in the typical teaching of Exodus 29.  At the consecration of the priests they were washed-bathed all over, once and for all by Moses; yet, they continually needed to wash their hands and feet at the laver before serving in the presence of God.

He continues “Ye are clean, but not all; for He knew who should betray Him” therefore He says “Ye are not all clean.”  The piercing eye of Jesus penetrates the inner man and He knows who are clean and who are not.  In the ensuing verses we move from the need of personal cleansing to the importance of corporate cleansing.   Uncleanness cannot exist in presence of God and cannot continue amongst His people.