I recently had a colonoscopy, as many others have had. It's described as a medical test that is used to detect changes or abnormalities in the colon or large intestine. During the procedure, a tiny video camera allows the doctor to view the inside of the entire colon.

If you have ever had a colonoscopy, you know that the preparation is far worse than the actual procedure. The aim of the preparation is to empty the colon so that the doctor can view it clearly. This requires following a clear liquid diet the day before, and drinking four litres of a prescribed fluid in the 18 hours prior to the test — in other words, a purging or complete cleanse.

The Bible also speaks of cleansing.

Psalm 51:7 – Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. (NIV)

Why do we need to be cleansed? Because we are all sinners. The Bible says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23 (NIV) God is a holy God, and He requires us to be holy, too.

Leviticus 19:2b – You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. (NLT)

When we confess our sins to God, we are forgiven and cleansed of all of our sins and set free from the power of sin in our lives.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (NLT)

This is not something that we can do ourselves or in our own strength. We are cleansed and forgiven not because of anything that we do but because of what Christ did for us on the cross when He gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins. It was Jesus' blood that was shed on the cross that washes away our sins. As the old gospel song says, "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." (Robert Lowry)

Titus 3:5 – He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. (NLT)

He calls us out of the darkness of our sinful ways and into the freedom of His marvellous light.

1 John 1:7 – 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. (NLT)

Let us examine ourselves closely and come to Jesus, repenting of our sins and seeking His cleansing and forgiveness.

Prayer: Gracious God, cleanse us from the inside out. Wash us, and we will be whiter than snow. Search our hearts and see if there is any offensive way in us. Make us aware of our sinfulness and help us to turn away from our sins and to seek You with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. May all that we do bring honour and glory to You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Dee Renaud <dee.renaud@outlook.com>
Sauble Beach, Ontario, Canada
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