When we’re talking about sanctification by water and the word, we seem to dissect the concepts. Of course we believe in purity, but we think it probably happens in stages. As Christians we usually start with the interior life. Somewhere inside a change takes place that works its way outward. To describe what we believe is happening on the inside, we use terms like transformation, formation, sanctification, etc.

If our particular ecclesial community is very intentional about this inner transformation, we engage in exercises of catechesis, spiritual direction, discipleship, etc. This is not necessarily wrong, but where does that leave the whole body? At what point can we expect our interior life to be mature enough to affect the exterior life? On the other hand, I know Christians with strong community commitments, who are desperately seeking wisdom for the interior life. Is our dichotomy Scriptural?

Look for the links to 2 sermons in this article.

Ephesians 5 | Sanctification

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. – Ephesians 5.25-27, ESV

Sanctity of Water & Word

Paul seems to blend everything together in this beautiful passage, making it very difficult for us to separate the interior and exterior dimensions of purity. So to understand this passage, we may have to let go of our belief that the interior life precedes the exterior, or vice versa. Christ purifies the whole body, and in a real way He uses the marital bond to do the same.

i. A couple Scriptural vignettes

To cut to the chase, there are many stories in Scripture when someone is transformed inwardly and outwardly in a moment. Did Zacchaeus or the woman caught in the adultery have a previous relationship with Jesus? Had either one of them completed catechesis? Take a look at Luke 19.1-10 and John 8.1-11.

After one dinner with Jesus, Zacchaeus makes the proclamation: “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”

Jesus then declares this word over Zacchaeus: “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

After a few moments with Jesus when the adulteress could be executed for her crime, her case is thrown out, and everyone leaves the makeshift courtroom quietly astonished.

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

ii. The possibility of definitive change

In these stories, there is a complete transformation. Sin is removed, but neither one of these stories is about a one time sin. These people sin until sin defines them. It’s a lifestyle. Then they meet Jesus. They are changed inside and out from that moment on.

Does a transformation of the body and soul always happen in an instant? Certainly there are times when we enter a progressive process of sanctification, but let’s not limit Christ’s ability to do something definitively . . . in a moment. It may not happen, but it’s possible. Christ certainly can wash someone with the water of the word and change the whole person at once, inside and out.

iii. Washing of water with the word

washing of water with the word . . . in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle . . . holy and without blemish – Ephesians 5.26-27

Do you take a bath every day? This question isn’t about your body. It’s about your soul – your mind, will, and emotions. Your soul is in a battle with Satan, who constantly tries to flood your thoughts, desires, and feelings with lies. Many Christians are losing this battle, and the reason is simple – they are not being washed by the Word (Ephesians 5:25–26). Simply put, they’re not bathing in God’s Word every day.[1]

Ephesians 5 | Sexuality

The phrase the washing of water with the word can have a couple implications. First, there’s a practical application for husband and wife, but there are also many symbolic applications for washing and water in the New Testament. However, Paul only uses this type of language in one other place.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. – Titus 3.4-7

This is a parallel passage because washing is not only physical, but a spiritual process as well. One might even point to the passage in Titus as a clearer picture of a sanctification process through water, the washing of regeneration.

The second implication is that this term word is not the Greek term logos, which often refers to the Word of God (Scripture). This is the term rhema which refers to the spoken word, i.e. the prophetic or any divine utterance. The husband shares in this role of Christ, speaking over his wife and family the rhema words of God, that have the ability to transform their lives.

iv. Classical virtues

We’re not really toying with all the historic Protestant debates over instantaneous or gradual sanctification. This dialogue predates all of those. This conversation is awakened in ancient classical Greek literature, the New Testament, and the writings of the Church Fathers. This is a conversation about what it means to be clean in the New Testament, and what virtues like chastity have to do with it.

A strict definition of chastity would tie it to sexual abstinence. “CHASTITY: Purposefully turning away for a time from dwelling upon or engaging in the sexual dimension of our relationship with others – even our husband or wife – and thus learning how not to be governed by this powerful aspect of our life.”[2] In a way, we are all called to some form of chastity until we can experience sex within the marital bond, where God has designed it to be at home.

v. A different approach

If we abstain from anything, we think it’s the best option for learning to control our desires. For instance, we may think that fasting is the best option for those who overindulge in food. However, there are plenty of other good reasons for fasting. A spiritual director may recommend fasting to assist someone who has sexual urges or desires that are out of bounds. As the body learns to control the basic drive to eat, other bodily drives line up as well.[3]

As helpful as abstinence, chastity, and fasting are in some cases, Paul has a different approach. He is encouraging Christian married couples to indulge, to express faithfulness (Ephesians 5.28-33).

To put it in perspective, the 7th of the 10 Commandments is, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20.14). A command not to do something is a negative command, or apophatic. However a commandment to do something is a positive command, or cataphatic. So are they the same? We don’t see that in this case. A Christian couple can spend their entire lives obeying the 7th commandment, but never indulging as Paul encourages them to do.

Paul is hearing from the same God that Moses is, yet the implications can be different. Sanctification requires us to stay away from what is wrong, but it seems to include our obligation to enjoy what is right as well.

Meet Jared

Jared Ingle
Pastor: Long Lake Friends Church
Supervised Therapist: Personal, Couple, and Family
JC Ingle, Inc.
Traverse City, MI
231.714.4154

articles:

Submission: CLICK HERE

Submission in the House of God CLICK HERE

sermons:

Submission CLICK HERE

Sanctification CLICK HERE

Sexuality CLICK HERE

notes:

[1] Robert Morris, “Washed by the Word,” in the New Living Translation Fresh Start Bible: Direction for Every Day, ed. John Andersen (Southlake, TX: Gateway Press, 2019), 1045. [2] Richard J. Foster, ed., Spiritual Disciplines Index: Chastity, in New Revised Standard Version: The Life with God Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009), 514. [3] As beneficial as fasting is for the soul, it also has plenty of health benefits. Again, this is another area of our Christian faith where we cannot easily separate the interior life from the whole body. I suggest that you connect with a couple people if you’re interested in fasting. 1) Run the idea passed your physician as a precautionary measure. He may even help you form a plan for fasting. 2) Consult a Christian mentor, pastor, or teacher who can be a guide or a sounding board during your seasons of fasting.

JC Ingle, Inc.