How are we cleansed from all unrighteousness?

Understanding the Nature of Unrighteousness

Unrighteousness, in the biblical context, is any thought, action, or attitude that violates God’s standard of holiness. As stated in Romans 3:23, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This falling short points to a universal human condition, in which each person experiences moral and spiritual failure. Scripture consistently affirms that unrighteousness cannot coexist with a perfect and holy God (Habakkuk 1:13).

Yet, the biblical narrative also reveals that our Creator desires to restore this broken relationship. The question of cleansing from unrighteousness is answered through the work of Christ and the redemptive plan God established from the earliest pages of Scripture.

Old Testament Foundations of Cleansing

1. Sacrificial System

Under the Mosaic Law, sin offerings and the sacrificial system were designed as temporary measures pointing forward to ultimate redemption. Passages such as Leviticus 4 outline procedures for sin offerings that would symbolically transfer guilt to a spotless animal. Leviticus 17:11 explains, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls on the altar.” These rituals foreshadowed a future and more permanent solution.

2. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

Each year, the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place to sprinkle the blood of a sacrificed animal for the nation’s sins (Leviticus 16). This solemn ceremony highlighted the separation caused by sin and the necessity of purified blood for atonement. The repeated ceremonies underscored the fact that people needed something greater—an everlasting atonement rather than repeated sacrifices.

3. Prophecies of Ultimate Cleansing

The Old Testament prophets spoke of a time when sin would be dealt with definitively. In Isaiah 1:18, God declares, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Among the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered at Qumran—known for containing the Great Isaiah Scroll—scholars have verified the consistency of that text with today’s Bible, supporting the enduring message of cleansing and redemption that was foretold centuries before the birth of Jesus.

Fulfillment in Christ

1. The Perfect Sacrifice

The New Testament identifies Jesus as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice who fulfills all Old Testament types and shadows (Hebrews 10:10). By taking on human form (John 1:14), He lived without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and freely offered Himself as the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). This sacrifice satisfied divine justice once and for all, making possible the cleansing of every believer’s unrighteousness.

2. Substitutionary Atonement

The cleansing power of Jesus’s sacrifice is intimately tied to the concept of substitution. According to 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Through Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, the penalty of sin is paid, and the guilt of unrighteousness is removed for all who believe.

3. Resurrection as the Assurance

The bodily resurrection of Christ confirms His victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:17). Scholars like Dr. Gary Habermas have compiled extensive historical evidence—ranging from early creeds in 1 Corinthians 15:3–7 to the empty tomb accounts—to validate the authenticity of this event. Because Jesus rose from the dead, believers are assured that the payment for sin is accepted, and the path to forgiveness remains open.

Means of Personal Cleansing: Confession and Repentance

1. Confession

One of the clearest statements about cleansing appears in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession involves acknowledging our wrongdoing before God rather than concealing it. Early manuscripts of John’s letters, such as those dating to the second century, affirm this same exhortation, testifying to its unchanging importance in Christian practice.

2. Repentance

Genuine repentance means turning away from wrongdoing and turning toward God’s righteousness. In Luke 5:32, Jesus states that He has come “to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Instead of attempting to earn favor with God through personal merit, believers place their trust in Christ’s sacrifice, changing both heart and direction in life.

3. Faith in the Finished Work of Christ

Cleansing is not achieved by human effort but through faith. Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches, “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.” The righteousness of Christ is credited to those who cling to Him by faith (Romans 4:5).

The Role of the Holy Spirit

1. Regeneration and Renewal

Titus 3:5 affirms, “He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit applies the work of Christ to the individual heart, transforming the believer from within and enabling holy living.

2. Ongoing Sanctification

Cleansing from unrighteousness continues as the believer cooperates with the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” While the initial cleansing happens when a person first trusts in Christ, the Holy Spirit empowers a daily process of sanctification that molds believers more closely into the image of Christ.

Practical Implications for Daily Life

1. Spiritual Disciplines

Practices like prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship in a community of believers foster a mindset of ongoing cleansing. Psalm 119:11 states, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Immersion in Scripture reminds believers of God’s standards and His grace.

2. Accountability and Fellowship

James 5:16 encourages believers to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” Sharing struggles within a supportive Christian community provides mutual accountability and encouragement, aiding the process of staying cleansed from unrighteousness.

3. Living Out the Righteousness of Christ

Cleansing manifests in actions that reflect Christ’s character. Believers are called to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). By displaying love, mercy, and holiness, Christians bear a transformed witness to the world (Matthew 5:16).

Summary of How We Are Cleansed from All Unrighteousness

We are cleansed by turning from our sin and trusting in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose once-for-all offering provides complete atonement. Confession and repentance open the way for God’s forgiveness; faith in Christ’s finished work bestows His righteousness upon us; and the Holy Spirit continually empowers us to live in holiness. The Old Testament sacrificial system, verifiable New Testament manuscripts, and the witness of history and archaeology all confirm the promises God has made regarding the cleansing of His people. Through Christ, anyone who believes is freed from the guilt of sin, receiving new life to the glory of God.