Hello
Here’s today’s Holy Nougat™
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NLT
I met this Nougat while reading an online devotional on YouVersion which referenced the Greek for cleanse (if you haven’t checked it out as yet, it’s not too late. YouVersion also offers online Bibles with multiple translations, including the Patwa New testament, yay!) . Skeptic that I am, the original was consulted and there it was –
Cleanse … katharízō – make pure (“clean”), removing all admixture (intermingling of filth).
Of course, the minute the Greek root came to light, catharsis was fixated on my mind. For catharsis also is connected to purification – usually of the mind – via removal of that which is impure, contaminated, emotionally threatening or pain-inducing.
The scripture thus rereads; “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, MAKES US PURE from all sin.” The pundits who reflect on these original languages contend that the tense is possibly aorist passive ἐκαθαρίσθην which, in the words of a good friend in the Faith, is Present Continuous; not future imperfect!
What this means, in essence, is that OUR relationship with Jesus assures CONTINUING purification; it is not a one time event.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I certainly am happy that the spiritual catharsis is ongoing. For otherwise my continued sins would send me back to eternal death and condemnation. And worse yet, I would miss the opportunity to be with God, whose very nature is incompatible with our sinful selves. What joy!
May we all continue to find renewal and grace in Christ on this journey of life.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
