Purify the altar

Purify the altar

Scripture: You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar and on the four corners of the upper ledge and all around the rim, and so purify the altar and make atonement for it. Ezekiel 43:20

Observation: In the Old Testament, and even in Ezekiel’s temple, there is the important process of purification. Today, purification is no longer by the blood of sheep and goats, but only by the blood of Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13-14 explains this:- while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. The purpose of the Lord purifying us is for us to belong to Him and to be eager to do what is good.

We also note that from other parts of Scripture, purification also has an active element on our part. We have to apply the purification made possible for us by the blood of Jesus to our lives in faith and obedience.

2 Corinthians 7:1 says “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” Part of purification is making sure we do not dwell or indulge ourselves in unholy things. We cannot be pure and continue to indulge in sexual immorality, pornography, greed, corruption, drunkenness, violence and other vices.

James 4:8 says “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Many movies and TV shows today glorify the occult, immorality, violence. To be pure, we need to be careful what we watch and how much we watch. The mind is the battlefield. If our minds are set on earthly things, our hearts cannot be pure. We need to purify our minds, and be single-minded in our focus on God.

1 Peter 1:22 says “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart” and 1 John 1:7 says “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” Purification means to obey the truth, to walk in the light, to have fellowship with other believers in love.

And finally, no matter how far we have fallen, if we come back to God, there is always hope in His forgiveness and He will make us pure. As 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. As John 3:3 says “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure”, ultimately all who truly believe and hope in Jesus for salvation will be made pure just as Jesus is pure.

Application: Praise Jesus for purifying us by His precious blood. Pray and desire that God will help us fulfill our destiny to be His people and eager to do what is right and good. Review our lives often to see if we are letting unholy things contaminate our minds and bodies. Confess our sins to God and trust in Him to purify us of our sins. Set our hearts to walk in the light in obedience to Jesus.

Prayer: Praise You, Lord Jesus, for Your blood that purifies us and washes us clean, white as snow. Help us, dear Lord, fulfill our destiny to be part of Your people, eager to do what is right and good. Forgive my sins, O Lord, and turn my heart from evil. Help me walk in the light before You. Let my hope ever be in Your salvation. In Jesus name, Amen.