April 9

Read: Ephesians 5:25-27

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate (Hebrews 13:12).

Christ Died To Make Me Holy

At this Easter season we recall with deep feeling that Christ died to save us from our sins. This is the clear teaching of the Bible and the faith of the Christian Church. He died to save sinners from punishment for their sins. Did He die also to preserve His people from continued sinning? We believe that He did. We believe that forgiveness for past sins and provision to keep His followers from future sin are both provided in Christ’s atonement.

Is it not reasonable to believe that when God went to such lengths to forgive the past He would provide the best possible insurance against further sinning? Is not such provision the clear meaning of the scriptures that follow?

“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it… that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).

“And for this reason Jesus also, in order, by His own blood, to set the people free from sin, suffered outside the gate” (Hebrews 13:12, Weymouth).

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3:3, 8).

Christ died to save me from my sins. Did He not also die to purify and cleanse my sinful nature? The sanctified spirit shouts a glad yes.

The cleansing stream, I see, I see! I plunge and, oh, it cleanseth me! Oh! praise the Lord, it cleanseth me! It cleanseth me, yes, cleanseth me!

— Phoebe Palmer