The Vilest May Be Cleansed
By E. Hilliard
Through hereditary tendencies and sinful practice, all have become corrupt at heart. Only the Sinless One knows the full import of the evil that dwells in an unregenerated man. Christ said: “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man.” Matt. 15: 19, 20. We receive this mass of corruption by inheritance. We are helpless of ourselves to eradicate it; yet if we expect to enter heaven, we must be cleansed from all defilement. We cannot make ourselves one whit better. If the Ethiopian can change his skin, or the leopard his spots, then we can make ourselves pure. Jer. 13: 23. Jesus has pronounced a heavenly benediction upon the pure in heart. “Blessed,” said He, “are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matt. 5: 8. The polluted soul can be made pure and free only through Christ. Sin, if cherished and practiced, will surely destroy the soul. Repentance, confession, and faith in the atoning blood of Calvary’s cross will wash away every stain of sin. When this has been accomplished, the law of God is written in the heart, and sin ceases. The individual becomes Christlike, and strong to resist temptation. The law written in the heart of the forgiven sinner reproduces the image of God in the soul. This is redemption. It is the restoration of our lost manhood. Through the plan of salvation, God designs to rescue man from the bondage of sin, and restore him to the primitive, innocent condition of the father of our race. Thank God for the plan that makes it possible for the foulest sinner to be made pure through the blood of Calvary’s offering! Yes, the golden gospel chain, attached to the throne of God, reaches to the bottom of the pit of sin, and the vilest sinner can be cleansed from his guilt. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6: 37. “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22: 17.