Sally's Question...

Cathie,

On Thursday you mentioned that "Christ washes (us) His body in the Word" - would you be able to tell me the scripture reference where this is found. Can't seem to find it this morning.

Love Sally

There are a few Scripture references that will help answer this question as it really is, in a sense, a matter of progressive revelation.

There is a washing of regeneration and renewal that happens at the time of salvation as seen in Titus 3:5.

We know from John 7:37-39 that by His Spirit, Jesus Himself is the Living Water and so when we read in Hebrews 10:22 of the Pure Water that washes our bodies we can know that this is Jesus Himself.

This is also seen in 1 Corinthians 6:11 where we see the washing also correlated with sanctification and justification in the Name of The Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.

In John 1: 1-14 we can see that Jesus is The Word and knowing this will make Ephesians 5: 26-27 jump off the page and into our hearts.  This is where we see that Christ, washes (cleanses) His own (the church) by the washing of Water with the Word.  This Water and this Word has the cleansing power to sanctify, to cleanse unto holiness and blamelessness.  This washing of Water with the Word is Christ Himself!  

Think of it this way... Christ Himself is the Living Water that we enter into at salvation and He is also the Word which together with the Living Water produces the soapy lather that cleanses us, not only unto salvation, but continues to further cleanse us daily as we spend time with the Word, taking the Word to heart and living in the light of it.

Let's lather up!

Thanks for the question Sally!

love,