cleanse

Bible Study Guides – “The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son Cleanseth Us from all Sin.”

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October 1-7, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28.

STUDY HELP: Patriarchs and Prophets, 63–70.

INTRODUCTION: “As the high priest laid aside his gorgeous pontifical robes, and officiated in the white linen dress of the common priest, so Christ took the form of a servant, and offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. ‘He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.’ Isaiah 53:5. Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His.” Desire of Ages, 25.

“If a Soul Sin”

1 What is the Bible’s only definition of sin? 1 John 3:4. Compare Romans 4:15.

NOTE: “The apostle gives us the true definition of sin. ‘Sin is the transgression of the law.’ The largest class of Christ’s professed ambassadors are blind guides. They lead the people away from the path of safety by representing the requirements and prohibitions of the ancient law of Jehovah as arbitrary and severe. They give the sinner license to overstep the limits of God’s law. In this they are like the great adversary of souls, opening before them a life of freedom in violation of God’s commandments. With this lawless freedom the basis of moral responsibility is gone.” Confrontation, 75.

2 What law did Adam and Eve break? Genesis 2:16, 17. Compare Genesis 3:1–6.

NOTE: “What reason have men for thinking that God is not particular whether they obey Him implicitly or take their own course? Adam and Eve lost Eden for one transgression of His command; and how dare we trifle with the law of the Most High, and frame deceitful apologies to our souls? We do this at a terrible peril. We must keep all the law, every jot and tittle; for he that offendeth in one point is guilty of all. Every ray of light must be received and cherished, or we shall become bodies of darkness.” Reflecting Christ, 54.

“The Wages of Sin”

3 What is the penalty for man’s sins? Genesis 2:17; 3:4; Romans 6:23; James 1:15.

NOTE: See Great Controversy, 539, 540, 544.

4 Does God hold all men guilty for Adam’s sin? Romans 5:12. Compare Deuteronomy 24:16, Ezekiel 18:19, 20.

NOTE: “There are many who in their hearts murmur against God. They say, ‘We inherit the fallen nature of Adam, and are not responsible for our natural imperfections.’ They find fault with God’s requirements, and complain that He demands what they have no power to give. Satan made the same complaint in heaven, but such thoughts dishonor God.” Signs of the Times, August 29, 1892.

See also Patriarchs and Prophets, 306.

“God so Loved the World”

5 What remedy for man’s sins did God devise? Genesis 3:15.

NOTE: “The news of man’s fall spread through heaven, every harp was hushed. The angels cast their crowns from their heads in sorrow. All heaven was in agitation. A council was held to decide what must be done with the guilty pair. The anxiety of the angels seemed to be intense while Jesus was communing with His Father…Jesus told them that He would…leave all His glory in heaven, appear upon earth as a man, humble Himself as a man,…and that finally, after His mission as a teacher would be accomplished, He would be delivered into the hands of men, and endure almost every cruelty and suffering that Satan and his angels could inspire men to inflict; that He would die the cruelest of deaths, hung up between the heavens and the earth as a guilty sinner; that He should suffer dreadful hours of agony, which even angels could not look upon, but would veil their faces from the sight.…The angels prostrated themselves before Him. They offered their lives. Jesus said to them that He would, by His death, save many; that the life of an angel could not pay the debt. His life alone could be accepted of the Father as a ransom for man.” The Truth about Angels, 60.

6 How did God convey to the guilty pair the truth that only Christ’s blood could atone for their sin? Genesis 3:21.

NOTE: “Fig leaves sewed together have been employed since the days of Adam, yet the nakedness of the soul of the sinner is not covered. All the arguments pieced together by all who have interested themselves in this flimsy robe will come to naught. Sin is the transgression of the law. Christ was manifest in our world to take away transgression and sin, and to substitute for the covering of fig leaves the pure robes of His righteousness. The law of God stands vindicated by the suffering and death of the only begotten Son of the infinite God.” The Upward Look, 378.

“By Faith, Abel….”

7 How did Abel express his faith in the blood of Jesus Christ as the only remedy for his sin? Genesis 4:4; Hebrews 11:4.

NOTE: “Cain and Abel were representatives of the two great classes. Abel, as priest, in solemn faith offered his sacrifice. Cain was willing to offer the fruit of his ground, but refused to connect with his offering the blood of beasts. His heart refused to show his repentance for sin, and his faith in a Saviour, by offering the blood of beasts. He refused to acknowledge his need of a Redeemer. This, to his proud heart, was dependence and humiliation. But Abel, by faith in a future Redeemer, offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain. His offering the blood of beasts signified that he was a sinner and had sins to put away, and that he was penitent and believed in the efficacy of the blood of the future great offering.” Confrontation, 22–23.

8 What evidence do we have that this truth was known to other patriarchs? Genesis 8:20; 12:7, 8; 26:25; 31:54.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 128.

9 In what special way did God help Abraham to understand what the sacrifice of His Son meant? Genesis 22:1–14.

NOTE: See Desire of Ages, 469.

“Let Them Make Me a Sanctuary”

10 Why was the first sanctuary built? Exodus 25:8. Compare Hebrews 9:8, 9.

NOTE: The phrase translated “holiest of all” in the King James Bible (Hebrews 9:8) is “ta hagia” in the Greek and should be rendered “the sanctuary”, meaning literally “the holy places.” It is so translated in Hebrews 8:2, and 9:1,2. The failure to translate Paul’s terms consis-tently in these chapters had led to great confusion. Similar inconsistency is found in the New King James Version and other recent versions.

“The question, “What is the sanctuary?” is clearly answered in the Scriptures. The term ‘sanctuary,’ as used in the Bible, refers, first, to the tabernacle built by Moses, as a pattern of heavenly things; and, secondly, to the ‘true tabernacle’ in heaven, to which the earthly sanctuary pointed. At the death of Christ the typical service ended. The ‘true tabernacle’ in heaven is the sanctuary of the new covenant. The holy places of the sanctuary in heaven are represented by the two apartments in the sanctuary on earth. As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven….Moses made the earthly sanctuary after a pattern which was shown him. Paul teaches that that pattern was the true sanctuary which is in heaven. And John testifies that he saw it in heaven. The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ’s work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth.” The Faith I Live By, 202.

11 What sacrifice is required for Christ to minister as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary? Hebrews 9:23–26.

NOTE: See Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, 160 and See also Patriarchs and Prophets, 343.

“Ye do Show the Lord’s Death”

12 In what way does Jesus help us to understand the importance of His sacrifice? 1 Corinthians 11:26.

NOTE: See Desire of Ages, 660, 661.

13 What work of preparation is necessary before we can avail ourselves of the emblems of His sacrifice? 1 Corinthians 11:27, 28.

NOTE: “Let every believer closely examine himself to ascertain what are his weak points. Let him cherish a spirit of humility and plead with the Lord for grace and wisdom and for the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Let him cast away all self-confidence.…Self-confidence leads to a lack of watchfulness.…Those who walk humbly before God, distrustful of their own wisdom, will realize their danger and will know the power of God’s keeping care.” In Heavenly Places, 97.

Bible Study Guides – “Who Can Bring a Clean Thing Out of an Unclean?”

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November 5-11, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:2.

STUDY HELP: Testimonies, vol. 2, 609–614.

INTRODUCTION: “The glory of God hallowed the sanctuary; and for this reason the priests never entered the place sanctified by God’s presence with shoes upon their feet. Particles of dust might cleave to their shoes, which would desecrate the sanctuary; therefore the priests were required to leave their shoes in the court, before entering the sanctuary. In the court, beside the door of the tabernacle, stood the brazen laver, wherein the priests washed their hands and their feet before entering the tabernacle, that all impurity might be removed, ‘that they die not.’ All who officiated in the sanctuary were required of God to make special preparations before entering where God’s glory was revealed.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 348.

“The Washing of Regeneration”

1 What was placed between the altar of sacrifice and the Holy Place? Exodus 30:18.

NOTE: “The laver was placed between the altar and the congregation, that before they [the priests] came into the presence of God, in the sight of the congregation, they might wash their hands and their feet. What impression was this to make upon the people? It was to show them that every particle of dust must be put away before they could go into the presence of God; for He was so high and holy that unless they did comply with these conditions, death would follow.” Review and Herald, May 30, 1871.

2 What was the original source of the water for the laver? Exodus 17:5, 6.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 411.

3 How does Paul explain the spiritual significance of water in the plan of salvation? Ephesians 5:26, 27; Titus 3:5.

NOTE: “The refreshing water, welling up in a parched and barren land, causing the desert place to blossom, and flowing out to give life to the perishing, is an emblem of the divine grace which Christ alone can bestow, and which is as the living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul. He in whom Christ is abiding has within him a never–failing fountain of grace and strength. Jesus cheers the life and brightens the path of all who truly seek Him. His love, received into the heart, will spring up in good works unto eternal life. And not only does it bless the soul in which it springs, but the living stream will flow out in words and deeds of righteousness, to refresh the thirsting around him.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 412.

“Beholding As In a Glass”

4 From what was the laver made? Exodus 38:8.

NOTE: “Between the altar and the door of the tabernacle was the laver, which was also of brass, made from the mirrors that had been the freewill offering of the women of Israel.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 347.

5 Into what mirror should all followers of Christ gaze? 2 Corinthians 3:18.

NOTE: “Pride and vanity are manifested everywhere; but those who are inclined to look into the mirror to admire themselves will have little inclination to look into the law of God, the great moral mirror. This idolatry of dress destroys all that is humble, meek, and lovely in character. It consumes the precious hours that should be devoted to meditation, to searching the heart, to the prayerful study of God’s Word.” Child Guidance, 433.

“There may be marked defects in the character of an individual, yet when he becomes a true disciple of Christ, the power of divine grace transforms and sanctifies him. Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, he is changed from glory to glory, until he is like Him whom he adores.” Acts of the Apostles, 559.

“A Fountain for Sin and for Uncleanness”

6 How does the water from the Rock explain the ministry of Christ? Zechariah 13:1.

NOTE: “In order to gain a proper knowledge of ourselves, it is necessary to look into the mirror, and there discovering our own defects, avail ourselves of the blood of Christ, the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, in which we may wash our robes of character and remove the stains of sin.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 58.

“The time has come for earnest and powerful efforts to rid the church of the slime and filth which is tarnishing her purity. The church of Christ is called to be a holy, powerful people, a name and praise in all the earth. There has been opened a fountain for Judah and Jerusalem, to wash from all uncleanness and sin. There is an astonishing backsliding with God’s people, to whom has been entrusted sacred, holy truth.” Testimonies to Ministers, 450.

7 How often were the priests to wash in the water of the laver? Exodus 30:18–20.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 347, 348.

“If Any Man Thirst, Let Him Come unto Me, and Drink”

8 What gracious invitation did Christ give on the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles? John 7:37.

NOTE: See The Desire of Ages, 453.

9 How is the symbolism of water also used for spiritual cleansing today? Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3, 4.

NOTE: “Man was brought again into favor with God by the washing of regeneration. The washing was the burial with Christ in the water in the likeness of His death, representing that all who repent of the transgression of the law of God receive purification, cleansing, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism represents true conversion by the renewing of the Holy Spirit. Those who have been buried with Christ in baptism, and been raised in the likeness of His resurrection, have pledged themselves to live in newness of life. ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.’ Colossians 3:1, 2.” The Faith I Live By, 143.

10 What further symbol of cleansing was given to us by Jesus? John 13:3–17.

NOTE: See The Desire of Ages, 646, 647.

“A Sea of Glass”

11 What is the counterpart of the laver in the sanctuary in heaven? Revelation 4:6, first part. (See also Revelation 15:2.)

12 What is said of those who will stand on that sea of glass? Revelation 15:2–4.

NOTE: “Through trials and persecution, the glory—character—of God is revealed in His chosen ones. The church of God, hated and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. They walk in narrow paths on earth; they are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and experience bitter disappointments; but their painful experience teaches them the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. Being partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they are destined to be partakers of His glory. In holy vision the prophet saw the triumph of the people of God. He says, ‘I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory,….stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.’ ‘These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.’ Revelation 15:2, 3; 7:14, 15.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 31.

A Finished Work – The Future

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In Exodus 40:33 is recorded a started work that was finished: “And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.”

In the Book of Exodus, we read of the children of Israel being led out of Egypt, out of slavery. We read about God’s Law of Liberty being given. The model of salvation was introduced, and then, in the last chapter of Exodus, the tabernacle was erected, and, it says, the work was finished.

Regarding this tabernacle that Moses finished, we are told: “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34. When the work on the tabernacle was finished, God’s glory descended and the glory of God filled the tabernacle.

Today, another tabernacle is being built. Ephesians 2:19–22 describes the tabernacle that is being erected: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” We are each one to be living stones put into place to finish this building. When the work of building this tabernacle is finished, the glory of God will be revealed again. Jesus will come with power and great glory.

I want to be a part of that great finished work, do you? In this study series, we have looked at different aspects of the finished work—the challenge, the method, the march, and the power of the finished work. In this article, we will consider the people who finish the work.

Defeat

In the first chapters of the Book of Joshua, we read that the children of Israel now have their feet on the Promised Land. They have crossed the raging Jordan, through the power of God. They have marched in unity around Jericho, and, by God’s power being displayed, the walls of that city came down and a formidable first step in conquering Canaan was overcome. It seemed that things were going well. It looked like the children of Israel were going to begin with victory and keep on marching into complete and total victory.

But in Joshua 7, they experienced some reverses: “And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; [and] make not all the people to labour thither; for they [are but] few. So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.” Verses 3–5.

They had just conquered the mighty, formidable fortress of Jericho, but when they come up to this small town with but few men, a seemingly easy victory, they were utterly defeated. Upon their defeat by this small city of Ai, the hearts of the children of Israel “became as water.” The courage they had obtained through their conquest of Jericho was totally drained away. But was it really Ai that defeated the children of Israel? No. Verse 1 says, “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.”

One Man’s Sin

Who really defeated the children of Israel? Achan! It was not Ai at all. Achan brought defeat to the children of Israel by taking “of the accursed thing”—by coveting that Babylonish garment, the silver, and the gold. The entire army of Israel was defeated because of one sin!

Thirty-six men died because of one man’s sin. The hearts of the entire army of Israel melted like water, because of one man’s sin. How serious was this? “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put [it] even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” Verses 11, 12.

The only solution to the problem was that the sin had to be destroyed. A million, perhaps more, people had not sinned in taking of the accursed thing. The majority had not been guilty, only one man. The Lord said, “Unless you destroy the accursed thing from among you, I will be with you no more.”

Joshua 7:12 is one of the most solemn verses in Scripture, I believe. To think that one man’s sin caused the defeat of the entire army of Israel and caused God to say, “Unless you deal with that one man’s sin, I will no longer be with you. Canaan will not be conquered; Jericho will be as far as you get, unless you destroy that one man’s sin.”

An Achanless Army

In order to finish the work and conquer Canaan, an Achanless army was needed. The same thing is needed now. Only an Achanless army will finish the work today. Are there Achans in our army? Are there Achans in our churches? Achan, one man of the children of Israel, in a church of over one million individuals, caused God’s blessing to be withdrawn.

Now, I dare say that none of us attend a church of over a million members. But one known sin—cherished and practiced—will defeat God’s blessing in our churches.

Cleanse the Camp

It has been very interesting but sad for me to note that many times when I have been involved with planning an evangelistic series, the devil succeeds in bringing some sin into some of the local church members, and it is necessary to deal with it. Doing so is not enjoyable or easy, but for God’s blessing to rest upon the outreach efforts, we have to deal with sin in the camp.

An interesting account is given of Dr. David Paulson, who was instrumental in securing the land for and establishing the sanitarium known as Hinsdale outside of Chicago, Illinois. Things were going well with the sanitarium; then their patient count began to decline until they were operating at only about half capacity. They could not pay the bills at half capacity. Dr. Paulson began to pray: “Lord, what needs to be done?” The Lord convicted him that there were staff members who were withholding their tithe. He arranged for a week of prayer during which the importance of paying tithe and of being consecrated to God’s service were presented. Within a week after that week of prayer, the sanitarium was over full capacity again. Within one week, confessions were made, and the sin was cleansed. Within one week they had to put beds in the halls to accommodate the overflow patients. God cannot bless when sin is allowed to continue. Are there Achans in our churches?

“There is much we will never know; but that which is revealed makes the church responsible and guilty unless they show a determined effort to eradicate the evil. Cleanse the camp, for there is an accursed thing in it.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 427, 428.

“Everyone who has a knowledge of Jesus Christ—especially the elders of the church—must not carelessly allow the members to be irregular in conduct and thus let evil and sin strengthen in the church, thinking this is the way to show love for one another. God requires faithfulness in watchcare. You must take hold of God with one hand while with the other hand, in love, you lay hold upon the erring and the sinner and draw them to Jesus. Pray with them, weep with them, feel for their souls, love them, and never let go of them. This is the love Jesus has expressed for you. You must ever strive for unity and forbearance and love. Never draw apart, but press together, binding heart to heart and making supplications in the Spirit. Then the power of God will work in your midst and many souls will be brought to the truth through your influence.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 2, 127.

Unrepented Sin

Are there Achans in our churches or in our families? Is there sin with which we have not dealt? Before Gideon could declare war against the idolatrous Midianites, he had to declare war against idolatry in his own home. God could not work through Gideon until the sin in his home had been cast out. (See Judges 6.)

Several months ago, we were in the Philippines holding an evangelistic series. Bible workers had been giving Bible studies, and one lady in particular had been a great help to them. She had encouraged many of the people in her neighborhood to take Bible studies and to attend the evangelistic seminar. She, personally, wanted to be baptized, and the Bible workers wanted very much for her to be baptized because she had been such a good worker and helper to them. We interviewed everyone individually for baptism, and as we talked with her, she did not display the expected commitment level. As we began asking her questions, the Lord directed us to questions that I had never before asked anyone else. Through these questions, we learned that she was keeping the Sabbath, but her 15-year-old daughter was supporting the family by working on the Sabbath. We turned to Exodus 20 in our Bibles, and we read the fourth commandment together. The fourth commandment is very specific about those in our sphere of influence and under our authority, and if we are allowing them to break the Sabbath, it is as though we were breaking it. We had to tell her that we would pray for her and ask that the Lord would help this situation to be resolved, that she might not only be able to keep the Sabbath but that she would not be a burden upon her daughter, causing her to break the Sabbath. It was a very difficult situation, but we cannot sanction sin in our families.

“Those who have too little courage to reprove wrong, or who through indolence or lack of interest make no earnest effort to purify the family or the church of God, are held accountable for the evil that may result from their neglect of duty. We are just as responsible for evils that we might have checked in others by exercise of parental or pastoral authority as if the acts had been our own.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 578. What a solemn statement! We need an Achanless army!

The work is going to be finished. We must pray and ask the Lord to help us to deal with any sin that comes to our knowledge in our churches and in our families. But we must do more than that; we must ask if there are any Achans in our hearts, because one sin, unrepented of, will cause God’s power to be withheld and cause us to be lost.

Ellen White wrote: “We cannot meet Christ in peace with one sin unrepented of, unconfessed, and unforsaken.” Review and Herald, March 17, 1891. “One sin unrepented of is enough to close the gates of heaven against you. It was because man could not be saved with one stain of sin upon him, that Jesus came to die on Calvary’s cross.” The Signs of the Times, March 17, 1890. Only one sin!

“Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire, persistently cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel.” Steps to Christ, 34.

Neutralized Power

The work is going to be finished with power, but one sin will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel. God’s power of the latter rain cannot be poured out upon an army with Achans in it. It cannot be poured out on an Achan heart.

It is easy for us to look on the outside. We see a new convert baptized who has perhaps quit smoking and working on the Sabbath. It is wonderful to see! There is no greater joy than to see one come to the Lord and accept His power into his or her life. But then it is easy for us to look on the outside.

We see health reform, dress reform, or Sabbath keeping. These things are easy to see on the outside. But we cannot see the inside as can God. We cannot see inner sins such as pride or selfishness. Could those sins of pride and selfishness cause God’s blessing to be withheld from us? Even if we are vegan vegetarians, if there is pride and selfishness in our hearts, there is still an Achan in our hearts. It is the heart at which God is looking.

The Pharisees continually had spies watching Jesus and the disciples in an attempt to catch them in some indiscretion, such as the incident when the disciples were going through a field and, as they walked along, they plucked some of the grain and began to eat it. (Mark 2:23.) Then the Pharisees accosted Jesus demanding, “Why are they eating with unwashed hands?” (Mark 7:5.) In other words, why are they transgressing the outward requirements? Ellen White wrote, “They [the Pharisees] were exact in outward ceremonies, diligent in washings, fastings, and long prayers, and ostentatious in almsgiving.” The Desire of Ages, 603.

Jesus replied, “It is what comes out of your heart that defiles a man. Because out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts and blasphemies and pride.” (Mark 7:20–22.).

Jesus is much more concerned with the heart, with the inside, than with the outside. Ellen White tells us that, “Whatever we are at heart will be revealed in character.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 801. “If the heart is right, the actions will be right.” Our High Calling, 218. We need to ask for the heavenly magnifying glass to examine not just our outsides, but our hearts, our thoughts and feelings, and not just our thoughts and feelings, but even the motives. When we begin evaluating our thoughts, our feelings, and our motives, we start to realize how corrupt our hearts are.

Ask, Why did I say that? Why did I do that? Why did I use that expression? What was the motive behind that? All of these must be cleansed, because one sin, even if it is a secret sin about which no one knows or a sin of selfishness or pride, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel.

Do you want to neutralize that mighty power? The army that finishes the work is not just going to accept the challenge of looking the giants right in the face and marching forward in aggressive warfare. It is not just going to personally be doing all it can to spread the message; it is not just going to be marching in unity; it is not just going to be relying upon God’s power for success. The army that finishes the work is going to be an army with the Achans removed. If we cling to any cares, to any Achans in our hearts, we are not going to be in that army.

“I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.” Zephaniah 3:12, 13.

The army that finishes the work might look like an afflicted and poor people. It might just be a small remnant, but the source of their power is that there are no Achans in that remnant. They do no iniquity; they speak no lies; there is not even one deceitful tongue in their midst. The power of the gospel is not neutralized.

I want to be in that army that finishes the work. Do you want to be in that army? Ask the Lord to take every Achan from your heart.

Cody Francis is currently engaged in public evangelism for Mission Projects International. He also pastors the Remnant Church of Seventh-day Adventist Believers in Renton, Washington. He may be contacted by e-mail at: cody@missionspro.org.