When we have turned our back on sin, and have been born again of water and Spirit, we are born of God.

We have repented, we have been baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and we have received the gift of God’s Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

We have become His child, and He has become our Father. (John 1:12-13, John 3:5, Acts 2:38)

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." - 2 Corinthians 6:16

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

These are promises. As His beloved, we desire to cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. We desire to work toward complete holiness because of our deep respect and awe of Jesus.

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." - 2 Corinthians 7:1

We cleanse ourselves with the washing of water by the word.

When we hear the preaching of the word, and when we read our Bibles, the Holy Ghost within us reveals areas to us in our life that need correcting.

The Lord leads us to repentance in these areas, and by the blood of Jesus that we applied to our life in baptism, these areas of spots and blemishes are cleansed.

By this process, we progress towards holiness.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." - Ephesians 5:25-27

We cleanse ourselves when we draw near to God.

We turn to God and away from the lifestyles of the world to a lifestyle of holiness to God.

We make sure that Jesus has all of our heart, and we are not sharing our heart with a love for the things of the world.

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." - James 4:8 (“…for your loyalty is divided between God and the world”. NLT)

How do we draw near to God and away from the world?

We draw near to God by repentance.

"Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness." - James 4:9 KJV

(“Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.” - James 4:9 NLT)

When we truly humble ourselves before God, with the realization that our righteousness really is as filthy rags in comparison to His righteousness, in repentance and awe of His holiness, we enter into another dimension with Him.

His mercy and love surrounds us, letting us know there is nothing and no one more intimate and more caring of us than Jesus. By His love, He brings us into His glory.

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." - James 4:10 KJV (“…and he will lift you up in honor.” NLT)