Numbers 19 - Make Me Pure Again

There is no doubt that I am a sinner. I have sinned gravely before The Lord. In Old Testament language, I have become unclean. There are all manner of ways we can become unclean. Some come from worldly associations and some are the result of Adam's nature being passed down through the generations. 

I can identify with the hymn that says "prone to wander, Lord I feel it; prone to leave the God I love". Within the Christian there are two natures. One we inherited when we were born-the sin nature and the other we received when we were born again -Christ's Spirit. These two natures battle for control of our minds, of our speech and our actions. It is pretty easy to become unclean without even trying. 

In Numbers 19, God offers a pattern for becoming pure again. He gives the visual of the Red Heifer pointing to Jesus who would become the sacrifice for sin and the means for purification of our sinful state. God is the only one who can purify sin. 

In the example of becoming unclean by touching a dead person, (Num 19:13) we learn that a person must purify himself before approaching the tabernacle. These two ideas are the basis for many divisions in Christendom. Does God do the purification or do we?  

Make mistake, God is the only one who can take away sin. We are utterly helpless to make ourselves pure, but God does not purify all sinners as some may suppose, we must pursue this cleansing and obey God's direction for our lives. We cannot live any way we please and find favor. 

There is another illustration of the working of God in this chapter. Num 19:9 indicates the ashes from the Red Heifer combine with the water of cleansing for purification of sin. here we have a visual of the water (word of God) and the sacrifice (Jesus Christ) working together for the purificaton of the people. Likewise, having been born again we are not yet complete in Christ. We have been forgiven, but the transformation into Christ's likeness comes with the application of the word to our lives. Far too many of us neglect the sincere study of scripture to learn more of this wonderful inheritance we have received. We starve our souls and feed on the food of the world instead and don't understand why Gid seems so distant.

My dear reader, it is not enough to learn from Bible teachers and attend a worship service. We must apply for ourselves the word to our hearts if we are to be confirmed to the image of our Lord Jesus. We must actively pursue righteousness for it won't chase us; we must chase it. Consider how you may order your time and attention to feed the Christ nature within you and to put to death that sin nature. You will be glad you did. 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.