To have our hearts cleansed from sin is the most important cleansing, and this can only be through the precious blood of Christ. But, of course, God wants us to be clean outwardly too.
A Chinaman was attending some classes at the gospel mission. He was anything but clean in his dress and in his ways. The missionary gave him this verse to learn: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
The word cleanse bothered him. The missionary explained how the Lord Jesus washes away our sins and makes us clean. The following week a fine-looking man appeared. His face shone; his clothes were clean. The missionary was surprised to discover it was their old friend, the dirty Chinaman. Smiling he said, “Jesus Christ made me clean inside and outside.”
ML-06/07/1964