PURIFICATION

Purification

 “Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.” Luke 2:22

            Jesus was born and according to the Jewish laws, any woman who gave birth to a male child had to wait 40 days before she was accepted as ‘clean’.  Then the parents would go to the temple and present their child to the Lord and give an offering of 2 turtle doves or 2 young pigeons.  This is what Joseph and Mary did as they were devout Jews.

            An elderly man named Simeon was at the temple that day.  He was a righteous man and lived his life expecting the promised Redeemer was coming any day.  When the Baby Jesus was brought there, God immediately showed Simeon who this child was and he took the baby in his arms and began praising God for the Messiah had come.  God had allowed this man to see Him before he died.  Thousands of babies and been brought to the temple over the years, but this Child was the only one sent by God to be a light unto the whole world.

            This might seem pretty strict compared to the same event today.  Purification isn’t even a common word; actually it’s only used when talking about a purifying water system.  What does purification mean?  According to numerous polls it doesn’t mean much to the average person today. Yet, it is one of the most important words for Christians.   (Numbers 19:9)

            Without purification you will not enter heaven!  I could go into those who practice sin, but I don’t want to repeat what Phil said on Duck Dynasty.  However, he did quote scripture from the Bible which is the Word of God. What do you need to do to be purified to enter heaven?         “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”   (I John 1:7)  This is called The Purification Process.  You see, it is the ‘Blood of Jesus’ that purifies us.  Without repentance for the sin in your life, one is denying Jesus and therefore you cannot be washed clean (purified) by the cleansing of his blood.

            Yes, Jesus died on the cross for you and for me, but that doesn’t mean your home safe. (James 4:8)  I think about the woman caught in adultery and the people wanted Jesus to condemn her, but he told her she was forgiven and to go and sin no more.  No matter what the sin might be, God wants you to be forgiven, but the key in this story is to ‘go and sin no more’.

James 4:8 tells us, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”  We must be purified in order to be close to God.  Some think because they believe in God, they will have eternal life.  Did you know that Satan and his demons also believe that Jesus is the Son of God.  We already know they are going to end up in the Lake of Fire at the end of time, because it is recorded in the Bible.

            You will find that the word ‘pure’ is written 102 times in the Bible and numerous times the word purified and all refer to the repentance and purification of our soul. 

            Today, as we begin a new year, let us be ‘expecting’ Jesus to return for those who are purified and will take them home with him.  Don’t be deceived by those around you who think you can feed your lusts and still be saved.  Turn to him for forgiveness and the blood he shed on the cross will wash you clean.

            May this New Year bring you power, love and a sound mind.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

 

 

Go and sin no more!