We have received a communication from “Two interested Readers,” dated, “Montrose, February 15th.” In reply, we beg to refer our dear friends to two passages of Scripture, which we think will meet their difficulty. The first is Psalm 119:99BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psalm 119:9), “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.” The second is Ephesians 5:2626That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26): “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” It is not correct to speak of “sin being taken away by the word.” Nothing could take away sins but the blood of Christ. “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:2222And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22)). In John 19:3434But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. (John 19:34), we read, that “One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side, and forthwith came thereout blood and water.” So also in 1 John 5:66This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. (1 John 5:6), “This is He that came by water and blood [Jesus Christ]; not by water only, but by water and blood.”
From all these passages we learn, that while expiation or atonement can only be effected by blood, yet there is a cleansing or purifying virtue in the word, when applied to the heart in the power of the Holy Spirit; but, inasmuch as both the water and the blood came out of a crucified Christ, so expiation and cleansing are founded upon the death of Christ for us.
The red heifer in Numbers 19 furnishes a striking and instructive type of the death of Christ, in its application to one who has become defiled in any way. When an Israelite had become defiled by contact with a dead body, the ashes of the red heifer, with running water, were sprinkled upon him to cleanse him. It was not needful to offer a fresh sacrifice, but merely to apply the memorial of a sacrifice which had been offered. Thus it is with a believer, who has failed and contracted defilement. The Spirit of God, by the Word, brings, in fresh power to his remembrance, the value—the power—the cleansing efficacy of that precious sacrifice that was once offered. It does not need to be repeated, but only to be remembered in the power of the Holy Spirit. What a divine provision for those who, while passing through this wilderness, are exposed to various defiling influences! May the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with profound thankfulness.