Topical Bible: Sin: No Man Can Cleanse Himself From

◄ Sin: No Man Can Cleanse Himself From ►

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Sin, in the Christian theological context, is the transgression of God's law and a fundamental aspect of human nature post-Fall. The Bible consistently affirms that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This inherent sinfulness creates a separation between humanity and God, necessitating divine intervention for reconciliation.

The inability of man to cleanse himself from sin is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. The prophet Jeremiah poignantly illustrates this truth, stating, "Can a leopard change its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil" (Jeremiah 13:23). This rhetorical question underscores the inherent incapacity of humans to alter their sinful nature through their own efforts.

The Psalms further emphasize human inadequacy in achieving self-purification. David, in his penitential psalm, cries out, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin" (Psalm 51:2). Here, David acknowledges that cleansing from sin is an act that must be performed by God, not by human endeavor.

The New Testament continues this theme, with the Apostle Paul articulating the universal bondage to sin and the futility of self-justification. In Romans 7:18, Paul confesses, "For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out" . This admission highlights the struggle against sin and the inability to achieve righteousness through personal strength.

The Epistle to the Hebrews reinforces the necessity of divine intervention for cleansing from sin. It states, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). This passage points to the sacrificial system of the Old Testament as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood alone can cleanse from sin.

The Apostle John also addresses the issue of sin and cleansing, declaring, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). He further assures believers that "the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7), affirming that cleansing is a divine act accomplished through Christ's atoning work.

In summary, the Bible consistently teaches that no man can cleanse himself from sin. This cleansing is solely the work of God, achieved through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Human efforts, no matter how sincere or rigorous, are insufficient to remove the stain of sin, underscoring the necessity of faith in Christ for true purification and reconciliation with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 9:30,31
If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
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Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
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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.
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Library

Whether a Man Can Know that He Has Grace
... as he is not aware of any mortal sin within him. ... which no man knoweth, saving he
that receiveth it." But such ... and also in Ps.19:12-13: "Who can understand his ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article five whether a man 2.htm

Whether Man Can Know that He Has Grace?
... as a man is not conscious of any mortal sin. ... which no man knoweth, but he that receiveth
it," because whoever ... according to Ps.18:13: "Who can understand sins ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether man can know that.htm

Prepared unto Every Good Work
... four steps in the path in which a man can become a ... These are, the cleansing from
sin; the being sanctified; the meetness ... to do on earth, we need it no less, or ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xix prepared unto every good.htm

On Sin in Believers
... Scripture they attempt to prove that there is no sin in a ... Again: A man cannot be
clean, sanctified, holy, and at ... Neither can his soul be unholy, while it is a ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 13 on sin in.htm

Christ Our Righteousness.
... Our ceasing to sin will not take away the old ones. The fact that a man refuses
to contract any more debts ... So no amount of reformation will make amends for the ...
/.../xii christ our righteousness.htm

The Wages of Sin (Chapel Royal June, 1864)
... things, my friends; and believe that the wages of sin are death ... But meanwhile, let
us judge no man. ... For we never can know how much of any man's misconduct is to ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon iv the wages of.htm

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our ...
... nay, that is not possible, for "who can understand his ... world, and make sin to abound
in a man's sight and ... the heart is presented, so there is no sin known and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xix if we confess.htm

Sacrifice.
... God would show to every other man the way ... no wash of words can cleanse from sin,
no sacraments, however ... only strict and painful repentance can work; repentance ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 sacrifice.htm

For which Cause Our Lord Himself Also with his Own Mouth Saith...
... are what defile the man." There is surely no one of ... hand is free from the murder
of a man, is the heart of the murderer forsooth therefore clean from sin? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 4 for which cause.htm

A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ...
... his greed he might be saved from falling into that appalling gulf of sin, checking
the ... 12. Thus in no case will any one be able to injure a man who does not ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/a treatise to prove that.htm