Clean, Holy, Righteous

But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. _{1 Corinthians 6:11}

At the beginning of the book of Acts, when Peter preached the gospel, he instructed all those who accepted the word to ‘repent and be baptised’ (2:17). Ananias repeated this command to Saul, following his encounter with the Lord, saying, ‘rise and be baptised and wash away your sin’ (22:16).

The water symbolizes the purification of our bodies, cleansing us and sanctifying us before a Holy God. Through repentance and baptism, we are not only made clean, we are also made righteous in the eyes of God. This is not our own righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ, for it is only through him that we are made pure.

In the High Priestly prayer, Jesus said,

“I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified.” _{John 17:19}

He set himself apart for the work of the Father, and accepted the burden of the cross, so that we also could be set apart for holy service to God. Never doubt for one moment that you have a purpose, for you have been purified for the work of the kingdom.

Through the Lord Jesus Christ, you have been made clean; you have been made holy; you have been made right with God, and no-one can take that truth away from you.