Understanding Cleansing in Scripture: Significance and Application

PURIFICATION OF THE UNCLEAN Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil (Isaiah 1:16). TEXT: Numbers 19:1-22

INTRODUCTION Cleansing is essential because God's pure nature cannot tolerate sin, a defiled person requires purification before canhave arelationship with Him. In the Old Testament, cleansing was done by sacrificing a spotless red heifer, symbolizing purificationfromsin. We canlearnthe following fromtoday sstudy: God s law, for which if any youth obeys, he/she shall live andprosper(verse 2); Provision of a heifer without spot and blemish: God has a fixedacceptable processforcleansing (verse 2); The sacrifice that was to be done outside the camp, a typical place forChrist s Crucifixion(verses 3,9); The cleansing was for the defiled person, non- discriminatory, both for the Israelite and strangers alike (verses 11,12).

The purpose of the water of separation, the word of God (verse 9) The permanence of the law i.e holiness requirement from all irrespective of status (verse 10) Death penalty for the disobedient; severe punishment for youths who reject Jesus sacrifice. Today, cleansing is only possible through the blood of Christ, offering complete and final redemption for all who believe. Without cleansing, sinners remain separated from God and cannot experience His forgiveness and blessings. Christ s sacrifice fulfills God s requirement for holiness, extending salvation to everyone willing to repent and trust in Him. Jesus Christ is the only means of cleansing from sin, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1 vs7) INTRODUCTION CONTD

Point 1: CAREFUL PREPARATION FOR CLEANSING (Numbers 19:1-16; Isaiah 1:16-20; Jeremiah 4:14; Acts 22:16; 2 Corinthians 7:1; James 4:8; 1 John 3:3). Today s study is ceremonial law for cleansing that has been replaced by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. However, we are studying it to APPRECIATE and APPLY the sacrifice of Jesus to our lives for cleansing from all sins. To appreciate, onethat we no longer have to go through the rigorous multiple process of providing a red heifer without spot and blemish to the priest to kill and sprinkle the blood directly upon the place of worship seven times before our cleansing begins (verse 4). Two, spend money to buy a heifer for sacrifice, and wait a long time for the heifer to burn completely to obtain the ashes.

Point1 :Careful Preparation for Cleansing Contd.. To apply, onethe blood of Jesus for our immediate cleansing and do not need a fleshly priest who has also been made unclean by our process of cleansing and needs to wash his clothes and remain unclean till evening (verse 8). Two, instant cleansing at the spot, and we no longer need to travel a distance to get water of separation outside the camp for our cleansing. Three, instantaneous forgiveness and cleansing when we repent of our sins and ask Jesus blood to cleanse us, unlike the 7-day cycle in the Old Testament. Four, the water of separation cleanses only defilement from a dead body, whereas the blood of Jesus provides a multifaceted purification, cleanses from sin, sanctifies, heals, delivers, and protects from evil. Five, that the soul that refused to be cleansed from defilement would be cut off, so will any youth who refuses to apply the blood of Jesus for the cleansing of his/her sin be cast into the lake of fire.

Point 2: CEREMONIAL PURIFICATION BY WATER (Numbers 19:17-19; Acts 13:38,39; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 9:13,14; 13:20,21; 1 Peter 1:2,18,19; Revelation 1:5) The Old Testament cleansing showed that only a clean person could purify the defiled, pointing to Christ as the only One qualified to cleanse sinners. True purification today comes through Christ s sacrifice, requiring repentance from sins and obedience to God s word. It is not through any rituals or sacrifices, either involving animals or whatsoever that need to be made. Christ did it all, and that is all. Both outward and inward cleansing are necessary for believers, symbolized by the water representing God s Word and Spirit. The Old purification was limited and imperfect, while Christ s blood completely purges the conscience and grants full access to God. Thus, through Christ, believers are fully cleansed, set free from dead works, and can approach God with confidence and true holiness.

Point 3: Consequences Of Remaining Unclean (Numbers 19:20-22; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 5:12; 6:23; Revelation 21:8) Living in uncleanness separates a youth from God and brings judgment, as shown by the death penalty for those who refusedpurification in Israel. An unclean youth affects not only oneself but also contaminates others, defilement. Spiritually, refusing Christ's cleansing darkens the mind, deceives the heart, defiles the life, and ultimately damnsthe soulto hell. No unclean youth will inherit the kingdom of God; repentance and faith in Christ s sacrifice are the only means ofcleansing. God freely offers full cleansing to all youths who truly repent, trust in Christ, and submit their body, soul, and spirit to Him. leading to widespread

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing powr? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you washed in the blood, In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? CONSEQUENCES OF REMAINING UNCLEAN CONTD Are you walking daily by the Savior s side? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Do you rest each moment in the Crucified? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white! Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Will your soul be ready for His presence bright, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb? Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb; There s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, O be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

QUESTIONS Question 1: Why is cleansing necessary today? Question 2: State steps a sinner must take to receive salvation through the sacrifice of Christ. Question 3: Mention specific areas God requires obedience from Christian youths. Question 4: What can we learn from these procedures as related to that of Christ? Question 5: What are the consequences of living in uncleanness

REFERENCES https://bible.art/devotional/numbers-19:9 Youth Search The Scriptures Volume 3 pg13 DCLM Publication