The washing water of the Word is necessary for sanctification and cleansing. Kwabase-Efesu 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 Ngokwebhayibheli? 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, i umuntu omusha 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.
Amadoda, thanda abafazi bakho, even as Christ also loved the church, wazinikela ngenxa yalokho; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, Ukuze alethe kuye esontweni elikhazimulayo, hhayi ukuba nebala, noma ukushwabana, noma enye into enjalo; kodwa ukuthi kufanele kube ngcwele futhi ngaphandle kwesici (Kwabase-Efesu 5:25-27)
Through the washing of water by the Word, noma ngamanye amagama, the washing of regeneration, iBandla (Umhlangano wokuzalwa uphinde waba kholwa (AmaKristu)) is glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any of such thing.
The Church is holy and without blemish.
Nokho, 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.
Kepha emva kwalokho kwabonakala umusa nothando lukaNkulunkulu uMsindisi wethu kubantu, Hhayi ngemisebenzi yokulunga esiyenzile, kodwa ngokomusa wakhe wasisindisa, ngokugezwa kokuzalwa kutsha, kanye nokuvuselelwa kukaMoya oNgcwele; owasithululela phezu kwethu ngokuchichimayo ngoJesu Kristu uMsindisi wethu; Lokho kulungisiswa ngomusa waKhe, kufanele senziwe izindlalifa ngokwethemba lokuphila okuphakade (Thithu 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, ukuKhanya, kanye nempilo. 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. UJohane 15;3; 17:17; AmaRoma 12:2).
Futhi ningalingisi leli zwe: kodwa liguqulwe ngokwenziwa ibentsha ingqondo yenu, ukuze nihlole lokho okuhle, futhi eyamukelekayo, futhi ephelele, intando kaNkulunkulu
AmaRoma 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, okungeyona ngokwentando kaNkulunkulu.
Manje nihlanzekile ngezwi engikhulume kini (UJohane 15:3)
When the Word confronts you, unokukhetha. You can obey the Word and Beka imisebenzi 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.
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word
IHubo 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. Nokho, the outcome aka the result of God’s Word shall be different in everyone’s life. Lokho kungenxa yokuthi, 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. Nokho, the grounds where the seed was sown were different. Ngakho-ke, the outcome was different. (Mathewu 13:3-23, Maka 4:2-20, Luka 8:5-15 (Funda futhi: ‘Izinhlobo ezine zamakholwa')).
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. Ngakho-ke, you shall never say, “Yeah yeah, I know that already’ or ‘I have enough’. But you shall spend time in the Bible every day (Izaga 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.
Bangcwelise ngeqiniso lakho: Thy Word is truth (UJohane 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. Ekugcineni, 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; Amazwi akhe.
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.
‘Yibani usawoti womhlaba’
