March 21

Read: James 4:8-10

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded (James 4:8).

Dual Sin Requires A Double Cure

God has always planned well for the needs of His children. He has given beauty for the eyes, music for the ears, and love for the lonely. Should we not expect Him to provide equally well for the deep needs of our spirits?

Because sin is of two kinds, God has provided two works of grace. A man who has committed sins is guilty and stands condemned. He needs to have his sins forgiven in order to become a child of God. When a man repents, and thus voluntarily turns away from his sins, God stands ready with the grace of forgiveness. He grants full pardon for all guilt and complete release from the penalty of sins committed. A man who is a sinner must have his hands thus cleansed from wicked works.

But our text says more because a man needs more. Sins are acts which are contrary to the known will of God. The Bible teaches that sin is also a disposition in the heart of man which is opposed to God’s will. Even after a man’s sins have been forgiven, this sinful nature remains until the heart is cleansed by the baptism with the Holy Spirit. This is the second work of grace that God has provided to deal with man’s sin. Because a man is a sinner, he must have his hands cleansed; because he is double-minded, he must have his heart purified.

Seeing the clear light of these truths, I today join in the prayer:

Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure.

— Augustus M. Toplady