Topical Bible: Man: Cannot Cleanse Himself

◄ Man: Cannot Cleanse Himself ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept that man cannot cleanse himself is a fundamental theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the inherent sinfulness of humanity and the necessity of divine intervention for purification and redemption. This entry explores the biblical basis for this doctrine, highlighting key scriptures and theological insights.

Biblical Foundation

1. Human Sinfulness: The Bible consistently portrays humanity as inherently sinful and incapable of achieving righteousness through personal effort. In Romans 3:23, the Apostle Paul declares, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This verse underscores the universal nature of sin, affirming that every person is tainted by sin and unable to meet God's perfect standards.

2. Inability to Self-Cleanse: The prophet Jeremiah articulates the futility of self-cleansing in Jeremiah 2:22: "Although you wash with lye and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before Me," declares the Lord GOD. This imagery illustrates the inadequacy of human attempts to purify oneself from sin, emphasizing that external efforts cannot remove the internal stain of guilt.

3. Need for Divine Cleansing: The necessity of divine intervention is further highlighted in Isaiah 64:6, which states, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind, our sins sweep us away." This passage reveals that even the best human deeds are insufficient for cleansing, as they are tainted by sin.

4. Role of Jesus Christ: The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the sole means of cleansing from sin. In 1 John 1:7, it is written, "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." The sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ provide the only effective means for purification, as His blood alone can atone for sin.

5. Faith and Grace: Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes that salvation and cleansing are acts of divine grace, received through faith: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage underscores that human effort is insufficient for salvation, which is a gift from God.

Theological Insights

The doctrine that man cannot cleanse himself is rooted in the understanding of original sin and total depravity, which assert that sin affects every aspect of human nature. This condition renders individuals incapable of achieving righteousness or reconciliation with God through their own efforts. The necessity of divine grace and the atoning work of Christ are central to overcoming this inherent sinfulness.

The recognition of human inability to self-cleanse leads to a reliance on God's mercy and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Through faith in Christ, believers are justified and sanctified, receiving a new nature that enables them to live in accordance with God's will.

In summary, the biblical teaching that man cannot cleanse himself highlights the profound need for divine intervention and the sufficiency of Christ's redemptive work. This doctrine calls individuals to humility, repentance, and faith in the saving grace of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 15:14
What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 2:22
For though you wash you with nitre, and take you much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before me, said the Lord GOD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Grave Stone.
... Nay, though man cannot wake to life his dormant spiritual ... seven times in Jordan,
else he cannot be made ... To cleanse himself of his leprosy he cannot, but to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xiii the grave stone.htm

On Sin in Believers
... appearance of evil, does ipso facto cleanse himself from all ... of evil;" but this does
not cleanse me from ... Again: A man cannot be clean, sanctified, holy, and at ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 13 on sin in.htm

2 Timothy ii. 20, 21
... merely "cleanse," but "cleanse out," [1382] that is, cleanse himself perfectly,
"he ... A man cannot go on hearing continually without some effect being produced. ...
/.../homily vi 2 timothy ii.htm

Of the Setting of Man's Life
... Secondly: which are they that cleanse a man? ... lower he supposes himself in abstinence
with himself, the more ... with great disease ofttimes a man cannot pray, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter iv of the setting.htm

That Water Does not Cleanse Without the Spirit is Shown by the ...
... may recognize that water does not cleanse without the ... Regeneration without water:
"For except a man be born ... and of the Holy Spirit, he cannot receive remission ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iv that water does.htm

Sermon for Christmas Day
... man divine, and makes God man." And again: "Cleanse your hearts ... God hath nothing
so hidden that it cannot be revealed ... teacher has said, that if a man will give ...
/.../iv sermon for christmas day.htm

Whether a Man Can Know that He Has Grace
... It follows that a man cannot judge with certainty whether he has ... which no man knoweth,
saving he that receiveth it." But such ... cleanse thou me from secret faults ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article five whether a man 2.htm

The Preacher as a Man of God.
... There was sin everywhere"sin in himself and sin in ... many things; but there are some
things which water cannot cleanse. ... He had said, "I am a man of unclean lips ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture ii the preacher as.htm

Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing.
... we have so often seen that what God has made holy man must make ... not this the reason
that there are some workers God cannot bless? ... Let us cleanse ourselves from ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/twenty-fourth day holiness and cleansing.htm

Whether Man Can Know that He Has Grace?
... depart I shall not understand." And hence man cannot judge with ... which no man knoweth,
but he that receiveth it ... From my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord, and from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether man can know that.htm