Glorious Liberty--Day 59 Through the Bible

                                     This beautiful butterfly has a lifespan of approximately one month at best.
                                                                 The Year of Jubilee is a topic in our study today.  
                                                You will learn in this blog that the Bible tells us the entire creation  
                                                                                    is waiting  for liberation!                

February 28

Before finishing the blog, I took a walk on this blustery, snowy morning. (If I allow the weather to hinder my walk, I tend to find other excuses not to walk even in good weather.) During my walk, I heard an unfamiliar “squawk” as I made my way up a hill, and then a loud swooshing of wings. As I looked up, I saw wild turkeys leaving the tops of the trees. These trees are very tall. I know turkeys roost at night, but had no idea how high. I watched as the large birds flew out of sight and had never seen them fly such a long distance.  This brought to mind one of the subjects of today’s study—that of liberty.

The year of Jubilee (the 50^th year) was to be consecrated and liberty proclaimed throughout the land for all its inhabitants. This 50^th year was to bring freedom from debt and the bondage of servitude, and land was restored to its original owners. God told Israel in Leviticus 25:23, “The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me”.

God is working out a plan that will restore not only man, but the entirety of creation. We see in Romans 8:19-23, that God’s creation is waiting for something. Verses 19, 21 say, “For the earnest expectation of the creature (the Greek word for creature can be translated “creation”) waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.. . .Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God”. (Isaiah 11:6-9 tells of a time of peace in the future when the wolf will dwell with the lamb and there will be an unprecedented time of peace for man and beast.)

God’s Feasts that were covered in the previous chapter are a type of God’s plan from start to finish—from Passover to the 8^th day--the "last great day" of the Feast of Tabernacles, spoken of by Jesus in John 7:37.  Verse 22-23 of Romans 8 continues, “For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of our body”.

It is questionable whether a Jubilee year was ever observed in Israel. Most Bible scholars seem to believe that it was never celebrated. Israel struggled with unbelief and disobedience leading to their 40 year trek in the wilderness and was unable to follow God after their entrance into the Promised Land. Our flesh, as theirs, is corrupt and it is impossible to experience true liberty without the new birth. And as it says in Romans 8, even we who are born again groan as we wait for the redemption of our bodies.

We are living in a time when things are being shaken. During our study in Leviticus, the phrase “I am the Lord Your God” appears over and over. In the days ahead, we would do well as believers to keep this truth in the fore front of our minds. God says that He will shake everything that can be shaken—“that those things which cannot be shaken may remain” (Hebrews 12:27). This study helps root us and ground us in the Word of God, which can never be shaken.  

It gives us hope and comfort to know that God has a plan of liberation for all His creation. We briefly get a glimpse of this need as we see fear reflected in the eyes of a rabbit as he flees for safety. And to think that that little rabbit “waits for the manifestation of the sons of God”! He doesn’t this, but God does. As we live in anticipation of this day, may we be reminded not to oppress one another, as God instructed in Leviticus. God is aware there is a tendency in human nature to do just that. God specifically mentions not charging a brother interest (usury), but to “fear the Lord”.

The Psalmist asks God to, “Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them also, and bear them up forever” (Psalm 28:9). Proverbs 10:19-21, certainly applies today, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver…the lips of the righteous feed many”. As we continue to live in a world held in bondage, may we follow Jesus’ example of getting alone with God. We are not without a Shepherd! There is safety and rest when we dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under His shadow (Psalm 91:1).

Even as Jesus suggested to the disciples, we have the capacity to give the worn-out multitude “something to eat”. Living in bondage is demoralizing. We notice the sad faces around us every where we go. God has liberated us to give the hope of the Gospel to our fellow man—the Good News that liberation is possible! He has left us in the world (John 17:15), to spread the good news and share this hope with others until He returns. As the day approaches, may we see ourselves sojourning with God in the land that belongs to Him. May we be faithful in telling others that the day of spiritual Jubilee has dawned and the day of complete liberation for all creation is coming!

Imprecatory Psalms and Other Debated Scriptures - Day 58 Through the Bible

Local produce sold from the back of a truck in our historic hometown of Burnsville, near Mt. Celo Church

A Day of Highly Debated Scriptures by Many Biblical Scholars 

My Contemplations, Lessons and Applications

Leviticus 23 - Keeping the Sabbath and the Feasts - This is something that has perplexed me for some time and is a matter of quite a bit of scholarly debate.  Does the New Covenant really abolish these?  Colossians 2:16 speaks of Christ - not legalism -"So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ."  "A shadow of things to come...when Christ returns?  However, we are under the New Covenant.  The Old Covenant - the Mosaic and Levitical laws were for Israel:  Exodus 31:16-17 “Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.”  Still, I continue to wonder regarding "the shadow of things to come"...

Leviticus 24 - Blaspheming God, Murder of a Man, Disfigurement of One man by Another...penalty for the first two - death; penalty for the last "an eye for an eye". - These last two Levitical Laws are dealt with in our national laws with similar penalties as well...perhaps not the "eye for an eye" philosophy but with restitution mandated - usually monetary.  The one that has not made it into our national law is the blaspheming of God.  Most movies, books, and pedestrian conversations are filled with contempt and irreverence for Holy God.  Matt. 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-29, and Luke 12:10 speak regarding the unpardonable sin - the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (See Post 53).  There is still much debate about the meaning of these verses.  What I do know is that the Spirit within me quakes each time I hear someone taking the Lord's name in vain, bringing my physical body almost to the point of nausea. It is not something I am able to forget or easily shake off.  I know when God is speaking strongly to me.

Psalm 28: 1-5 Imprecatory Psalms - again, there is debate within the Christian community about praying the so-called "imprecatory Psalms" - those that pray for the destruction of one's enemies.  Jesus says in Matt. 5:43-45 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."  In all honesty, it is very comforting to pray these Psalms at times!  The New Covenant is lived through the power of the Holy Spirit within us.  We know these commands are impossible otherwise.  (John 15:5 and others)  (John Piper video on Imprecatory Psalms)

Wisdom of the Proverbs - (10:17-18) ..Keep instruction..it is the way of life...You will go astray if you refuse correction...lying lips hide hatred...whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Mark 6 - The Impact of Unbelief on Mighty Works - Unbelief hampers mighty works being accomplished but does not preclude the necessity of teaching and sharing the gospel.  "Now He could do no mighty work there...He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching...Sending Out the 12 Disciples...they were not sent out alone ("two by two")...Jesus gave them power to accomplish their work "He gave them the power over unclean spirits"...He gave them strict commands regarding material possessions and dealing with unbelief...to take nothing but their staff, wear sandals, don't wear two tunics - no food, no money...depart from...shake the dust from your feet...a testimony against those who will not receive or hear you. Beheading of John the Baptist - My Lessons:  Preparing the way for Christ and speaking the truth to evil people cost John his life.  Following Christ and speaking the truth to evil people today can still have dire consequences.  Jesus warns us to carefully consider the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:25-33).  We know that God is Sovereign and Providential, that our lives are His to use for His purposes.  Matt. 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

Father, enable me by Your Holy Spirit to comprehend Your truth in all things and to live out Your truth in my life - to understand and obey all Scripture according to Your revealed will- that I will follow You only and not the traditions of man.  Amen

Replacing Fear with Truth--Day 57 Through the Bible

                         Wiseman's View in nearby Avery County overlooks Linville Gorge and its rugged terrain. 

                                                                           The views are spectacular any time of year, 

                                                   however, the rock formations are more visible when the leaves are off.

February 26

Dr. Stanley makes a statement in today’s study that, to me, is a matter of life or death, peace or torment. It relates to Mark 5:36, where Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, only believe”. Dr. Stanley comments on this passage by saying, “Regardless of our circumstances, God always urges us on to faith and away from fear”.  I want to post this in a prominent place—maybe several prominent places, so that I can be reminded of this truth throughout the day.

I find that I have fearful thoughts on a regular basis. This leads to worry and is also a concern in light of Revelation 21:8, which says the fearful shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we are admonished: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”.

What do I do when these thoughts come to mind? Do I address them—do I even recognize them? (The first step in problem solving is to acknowledge the problem.) And, am I aware of their origin? There’s not time here to go into depth on the subject of “fear”. However, its not difficult to pinpoint its source. I John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love”. God is love (I John 4:8), therefore, God cannot be the author of fear. And, 2 Timothy 1:7 leaves no doubt about it: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”. (This would be good to post also.) God does not intend that as believers we are to be tormented by fear.

God wants us to trust Him and rest in His love (Psalm 23 testifies to that.) It is so natural for us to fear. Yet, the truth is that we are a new creation in Christ—2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”.  Fear paralyzes us. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). We cannot accomplish what God has planned for us to do if we allow fear to paralyze us.

What if the woman in Mark had been too afraid to even touch Jesus’ garment? Maybe she was too afraid to ask Him for healing—she had evidently put much thought into how she was going to approach Jesus. Touching His garment may have been a way around her fear. We don’t know this for sure.  However, when Jesus asked who touched Him, the woman was “fearing and trembling” (Mark 5:33). How wonderful for her that she was able to push past her fear and receive healing.

I have a friend who shared with me a tool God has given her for dealing with fearful, or other negative thoughts. When she has a thought that troubles her, she writes it down in a little notebook she keeps for this purpose. She then looks for a scripture that tells the truth about the thought and writes the scripture in her notebook along with the thought. In doing this, she has (1) recognized that the thought is a problem, and (2) she has discovered what God says about it. Psalm 91:4, says, “His truth shall be your shield”, and Jesus says the truth will make us free (John 8:32).

Jairus’ daughter was dead by the time Jesus arrived. However, there is a truth that even supersedes death. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). When we are fearful, we need the Truth! This is awesome! Jesus told the mourners of the little girl the truth—she was not “dead” (without life)—the Life was standing close by, waiting to resurrect her!

Is it any wonder we are encouraged in Psalm 27:14, to “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He will strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord”. The woman in Mark had suffered many things at the hands of the physicians and was no better. If we trust in the solutions the world offers, we will also find ourselves “no better, but rather (growing) worse”.

Proverbs 10:14, tells us that: “Wise people store up knowledge”. My friend with her little notebook is evidently a wise person. She stores up knowledge of the truth when assailed by wrong thoughts. I must go now—as I have lots to do. I need to make some cards that say, “God always urges us on to faith and away from fear”. I also need to start my notebook. I hope you have also been inspired to take steps that will help you move toward  faith and away from fear!

Demonizing Certain Sins - Day 56 Through the Bible

Mt. Celo Church is located in the South Toe River Valley near the NC Blue Ridge Parkway - one of the most popular areas in America for outdoor sports and recreation

Gleanings from the Readings - My Lessons and Applications

Demonizing Certain Sins / Letting Others Slide - The Levitical laws continue in chapter 19-20 readings.  These encompass 3 main areas - work, worship, and sexual intimacy - all necessary for maintaining holiness, separateness to God.  Most of these are along the lines of the 10 Commandments, but a few drew my attention closely.  I hope you will look at these closely.  We tend to demonize certain sins and let others go with much less castigation, depending on our own affinities.  There seems to be no hierarchy of sin in these Levitical commands.  Most have a penalty of death. Lev. 19:37 "Therefore you shall observe all My statues and all My judgments, and perform them.   I am the Lord."  How eternally blessed we are to be under the New Covenant - atoned by the blood of Jesus - for the remission of all our sins.  Romans 8:1-4 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

The Reward of Seeking God...dwelling in the house of the LORD all the days of my life...beholding His beauty...inquiring in His temple...being hidden by God in the time of trouble in His pavilion, in the secret place of His tabernacle...being set upon a high rock by God...having my head lifted up above my enemies all around me...offering sacrifices of joy in His temple...singing praises to the LORD...never being forsaken by Him...being cared for by the LORD. (Psalm 27:4-10)

The Power of Words - again... (see Post for Day 48) - the Bible says so much about this.  Proverbs 10:10-12 ...a prating fool will fall...the mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.  Hatred stirs up strife (and this is almost always with words), but love covers all sin.

Even the Demons Believe in Jesus (Mark 5:1-20) Note the words and actions of the unclean spirit (who controlled the man)...when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran....and worshipped Him.  He cried out...with a loud voice...and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God that You do not torment me...my name is Legion, for we are many...also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send him out of the country."  The demon recognized Jesus as God's Son...recognized Jesus as having power over him.  This power over evil is within all believers through the Holy Spirit that indwells us: 1 John 4:4 "Greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world."

What Will We Do With Jesus? Will we invite Him into our hearts - to be the Lord and Savior of our lives?  Or, like the people of the Gadarenes, will we fear the power He will have on our lives (the changes we will have to make) and plead with Him to depart from us?  Will we be like the healed man - released from our own unclean spirits - to follow Jesus's command to tell what great things the Lord has done for us and how He has had compassion on us?  This is our Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20).  Are we fulfilling it?

Someone asked, Will the heathen who have never heard the Gospel be saved? It is more a question with me whether we — who have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who have not — can be saved.
- Charles Spurgeon

Nothing Hidden From God - Day 55 Through the Bible in a Year

Sunset on the South Toe River - Mt. Celo Church is located in the South Toe River Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina - between Asheville and Boone.

My Contemplations/Lessons/Applications from Today's Readings

SACRED BLOOD Leviticus 17:1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying...Leviticus 17:11  "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul."  This OT passage is key in understanding The New Covenant - sealed by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ - the final sacrifice, once and for all. There is power - life-giving power - in the blood, both physically and spiritually.

HOLINESS CODE (Holman's Bible Dictionary) - Leviticus 17-27 - This chapter begins God's instructions on the necessity of holiness - being separate to God, distinct and set apart, "in the world but not of the world."  Many specific commands of purity follow this.  The majority of these in Chapter 18 deal with sexual purity.  This IS very important to God; this IS very different from the world's view.

MY LIGHT, MY SALVATION, MY STRENGTH - Psalm 27:1-3 This is all of the LORD. He saves me, guides me, empowers me to live out His calling in my life.  This should take away fear; this should be my confidence.  It calls to mind Jesus's command in Matthew 10:28 , "fear not them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him that is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

INTEGRITY/SECURITY Proverbs 10:9 is an extension of the holiness code - giving us the consequences of living a life under God's commands - or following the ways of the world.  "He who walks with integrity, walks securely; but he who perverts his ways will become known." (emphasis mine.)

NOTHING HIDDEN  Our holiness, our walk in integrity IS known to God, so are our sins.  The so-called hidden corruption that marks so much of our business, legal, family and church lives are not hidden at all from God.  We WILL - ALL - give account for these deeds of our lives.  Mark 4:22-23:  For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."  Numbers 23:32...and be sure your sin will find you out.

It is ever the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus…Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind…

From Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon

Habitations of Good Ground--Day 54 Through the Bible

                                   Mt. Celo Church is one of many churches in Yancey County.
                                             We are admonished by God in Hebrews 10:25,
                                          not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

February 23

(If you have never studied the subject of "the scapegoat" (Azazel in Hebrew), which is in our daily Bible reading in Leviticus 16, I would encourage you to do so. There are several good articles online--just make sure it is a reputable source.)

In Psalm 26:12, we read "My foot stands in an even place; in the congregations I will bless the Lord".
I recently came across a statistic which said 79% of people in North Carolina are not associated with a church. In one of the "Life Lessons" in today's devotion, Dr. Stanley says some believers think they don't need to go to church, that they are fine on their own. He goes on to say, "But the Bible never endorses such a spirit. It always pictures believers coming together for worship and mutual encouragement".

As believers, we are members of the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:27). The local church gives us the opportunity to meet with other believers and to be part of a church family. We are baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit(I Corinthians 12:13). The book of Acts records the history of the first church which was an organized body of believers. As believers, we can hopefully and prayerfully--find a church we would like to be a part of. There are certainly many congregations to choose from. The more we learn about God the better equipped we will be to choose a church that will help meet our needs.

A few years ago, I considered just staying home because I was not happy with the church I was attending. During that time, I almost convinced myself that I could study the Bible on my own and that I didn't need to go to church. However, I loved the people in the congregation and I was providing a service for them that would be missed if I were no longer there. One scripture kept coming to mind: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25). I could not get past this verse, so I stayed. I also decided to pray fervently for our church. And now, many prayers later and on the other side of this decision, I realize I did the right thing. I would have missed out on a blessing from God and would not have been in His will had I forsaken the "assembling of ourselves together".

Meeting together each week with other believers to worship God and to work together to accomplish His work and glorify His name in the community is indeed a blessing. There is no "perfect" church and all churches and pastors need prayer, as well as the members of the congregation. So if we are looking for the perfect church, we are going to be disappointed--we are not going to find it. However, we can find a church where we can be spiritually fed and "equipped for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13). Regardless of the what we find to criticize in a congregation, we can focus on prayer instead of finding fault. Prayer is no doubt one of the greatest--if not the greatest  need in a congregation. The pastor needs prayer, each ministry needs our prayers, and every member of the congregation needs prayer.

Back in Ephesians 4, verse 13 goes on to say, "Until we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ". We have an opportunity to help others reach their full potential. We can be part of a congregation that helps cultivate the "good ground" Jesus refers to in Mark 4. I am very thankful for every "God breathed" word of the Bible. God says His word will not return to Him empty (Isaiah 55:11). Rather, "but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it". Having experienced this first-hand I can say from my heart, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells (Psalm 26:8). God does not dwell in a building made by hands (Acts 7:48), but His Holy Spirit dwells in His people (John 14:17). I hope you will make it a point to be found in church somewhere this week worshiping God and enjoying the fellowship of other believers.

Cleansing the Leper and the Sinner - Day 53 Through the Bible

Ayles Creek that flows through Celo Lands near Mt. Celo Church

My Contemplations/Lessons/Applications from Today's Readings

Leviticus 14:1-57 is a continuation of the OT Levitical laws for leprosy and the plague.  The symbolism between our unclean state as sinners before a Holy God and that of the OT leper as well as the ceremonies and rites necessary for cleansing - have been the topic of many great theologians throughout the ages.  (See Charles Spurgeon's sermon from the year 1860, The Cleansing of the Leper).   But this is what struck me in today's reading:  "This is the law...TO TEACH...when it is clean and unclean. (Lev. 14:57 - emphasis is mine).  This also has been the subject of many Biblical scholars and of the Apostle Paul - that the OT law was a tutor/schoolmaster - to teach us...to make us aware of the seriousness of sin, of our inability to satisfy the demands of the law, of the need for a permanent blood sacrifice to take away the penalty of these sins for which we could not make adequate atonement...to realize the need for Christ.  (Galatians 3:24)

Psalm 26:1-5 is a Psalm that I have often prayed to God - just as King David did - in humanly hopeless, helpless situations.  "O LORD, vindicate me...examine me...prove me...try me...know my love, devotion, trust in You and Your truth...that I have determined to not sit with...go in with...and hate the assembly of evildoers...hypocrites...the wicked.  I know I need to continually come before God for His redirection of me when I may be straying from His will, His truth or becoming too attached to the way the world operates.

Proverbs 10-:6-7 is a reminder to me when I become disheartened - when I see the wicked prospering and the godly righteous suffering.  How can anyone deny the wisdom of the Bible?  Think of the thousands of years that have elapsed since this writing, and yet many of us must be saying as we read this, "How very true!" in parts and "When, Father?" in others!  As believers, we know the eventual answer to this last question, but as always the waiting is so very hard.

Mark 3: 20-35 -  The Unpardonable Sin - 28-30  Charles Stanley devotes an entire page to this in the Life Principles Daily Study Bible.  He states:  "That is the essence of the unpardonable sin.  The Pharisees chose to reject the work of the Holy Spirit for their own greedy purposes. They lied saying that what Jesus had done was the work of Satan.  That is defiant, irreverence toward the work of God." Dr. Stanley goes on to say that this sin was only possible while Jesus was on the earth - that "Christ's crucifixion and resurrection changed everything".  (pg. 224)  He does believe there is still an "unpardonable state when people choose to reject the Lord Jesus after hearing the good news of salvation."  From my readings through the Bible for years, I also believe there is a point when there is no longer pardon.  Yes, Christ does forgive all sins (John 2:1-2 and many others), but Christ Himself calls for the necessity of repentance.  One of the most sobering, impacting passages in the Bible in my life - especially in regards to my concern for the salvation of those I love - is Romans 1 - particularly verses 18-32.  I think it speaks a great deal to the "unpardonable sin."

We are all spiritual lepers.  Hidden, unfelt, unconfessed sinfulness is the true leprosy, but once sin is acknowledged and felt it has received its deathblow...and the great heart of Love will look upon the person who sees nothing but sickness within himself and "shall pronounce that person clean" when he trusts in Jesus crucified..."Come to Me, all you are weary and burdened (with sin).  Matt. 11:28
From Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon