Maji ya kuosha ya Neno ni muhimu kwa utakaso na utakaso. Katika Waefeso 5:26, we read about the sanctification and cleansing of the Church with the washing of water by the Word. But what is the meaning of the washing of water by the Word in Ephesians 5:26 Kulingana na Bibilia? Does the washing of water by the Word refer to the baptism or does it also refer to something else?
The Church is sanctified and cleansed by the washing of water by the Word
Just like a person is cleansed from all the dirt and bad odors with the washing of water, ya mtu mpya is sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the Word from all sins and iniquities and all the dirt of the flesh and the world.
Waume, wapendeni wake zenu, even as Christ also loved the church, na akajitoa kwa ajili yake; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, Ili aweze kuionyesha mwenyewe kanisa lenye utukufu, kutokuwa na doa, au kasoro, au kitu chochote kama hicho; Lakini kwamba inapaswa kuwa takatifu na bila lawama (Waefeso 5:25-27)
Through the washing of water by the Word, au kwa maneno mengine, the washing of regeneration, Kanisa (kusanyiko la waumini waliozaliwa mara ya pili (Wakristo)) is glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any of such thing.
The Church is holy and without blemish.
Hata hivyo, the sanctification and cleansing don’t stop after the washing of regeneration.
The sanctification process continues with the cleansing by the washing water of the Word.
Lakini baada ya hayo wema na upendo wa Mungu Mwokozi wetu kwa wanadamu ulionekana, Si kwa matendo ya haki tuliyoyatenda, lakini kwa rehema zake alituokoa, kwa kuosha kwa kuzaliwa upya, na kufanywa upya na Roho Mtakatifu; Ambayo alitumwagia kwa wingi kupitia Yesu Kristo Mwokozi wetu; Huko kuhesabiwa haki kwa neema yake, tunapaswa kufanywa warithi kulingana na tumaini la uzima wa milele (Tito 3:4-7)
The renewing of the mind with the Word
When you become a new creation through regeneration in Christ and made holy and righteous, you should renew your mind with the Word of God. So that you no longer think and live like the world and be conformed to the world, but by the renewing of the mind with the Word of God, think and live according to the will of God.
The Word of God is the Truth, Nuru, na Maisha. The Word reveals the will of God and His Kingdom and the works of the Spirit and the lies of the devil and the works of the flesh (Oh. Yohana 15;3; 17:17; Warumi 12:2).
Wala msiifuate dunia hii: lakini mgeuzwe kwa kufanywa upya kwa akili zenu, ili muweze kuthibitisha kile kilicho chema, na kukubalika, na kamili, Mapenzi ya Mungu
Warumi 12:2
The cleansing power of the Word
You shall read the words of God, take God’s words, and renew your mind with the Word of God. During the process of renewing your mind with the Word of God, the Word confronts you with the works of the flesh, ambayo si sawasawa na mapenzi ya Mungu.
Sasa ninyi mmekuwa safi kwa sababu ya lile neno nililowaambia (Yohana 15:3)
When the Word confronts you, Una chaguo. You can obey the Word and acha kazi of the flesh and be cleansed through your obedience to the Word and by putting off the works of the flesh. Or you can rebel against the Word and disobey the Word and reject the Word and obey the will of the flesh and keep doing the works of the flesh.
The decision you make depends upon whether you love God or you love yourself.
Kwa hivyo kijana atasafisha njia yake? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word
Zaburi 119:9
The Word of God is no respecter of persons and possesses the same power for everyone
The Word of God is no respecter of persons. God’s Word is the same for everyone and possesses the same power. Hata hivyo, the outcome aka the result of God’s Word shall be different in everyone’s life. Hii ni kwa sababu, every person chooses to either believe and obey the words of God or to not believe the words of God and reject the words of God, by not doing the words of God.
We read this also in the Parable of the sower. The seed was the same. Hata hivyo, the grounds where the seed was sown were different. Kwa hiyo, the outcome was different. (Mathayo 13:3-23, Weka alama 4:2-20, Luka 8:5-15 (Soma pia: ‘Aina nne za waumini')).
God’s Word is life. God’s Word is so powerful that the lives of everyone, who yield to God’s Word and obeys and does God’s Word will change and not remain the same.
The meaning of the washing water of the Word
Just like the earth shall never be saturated with water, but always needs water, because the earth can’t live without water, you shall also need the Word every day and can’t live without the Word and never be saturated. Kwa hiyo, you shall never say, “Yeah yeah, I know that already’ or ‘I have enough’. But you shall spend time in the Bible every day (Methali 30:16).
The Word of God is like water. The words of God gives life to you, and refreshes you. God’s words cleanses you from all the lies and dirt of the flesh and the world.
Uwatakase kwa ukweli wako: Thy Word is truth (Yohana 17:17)
The more you abide in the Word and follow up God’s words, the more the Word shall possess you and you shall be fully consumed by the Word and the Holy Spirit.
Just like in the vision of Ezekiel of the flowing river from the Temple.
In the vision, Ezekiel was brought by the man through the waters. The water was first to his ankles, then to his knees, and then to his loins. Hatimaye, Ezekiel had to swim because the waters rose and became a river.
And that is the will of Jesus for His Church. Jesus wants everyone, who belongs to His Church through regeneration in Him, to be fully consumed by Him; Maneno yake.
What is the will of Jesus regarding His Church?
Jesus wants His Church to be washed in the water. Not only by the baptism in water, which is a one-time event. But Jesus wants His Church to be constantly cleansed by the washing water of the Word of God.
It’s the will of Jesus that the Church is consumed by His words. Jesus wants His Church to abide and remain in Him; in the Word and stay holy without blemish.
Jesus wants the Church to be a Spring of water, whose waters fail not.
‘Kuweni chumvi ya dunia’
