Made Clean by the Word

Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church-a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. (Ephesians 5:25-27 MSG)

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 KJV)

Christ referred to Himself as the living water. As such He is able to cleanse us deeply. We are not merely cleansed outwardly. No, Christ cleanses us on the inside first, beginning with our hearts. And as our hearts and souls are changed this cleansing begins to be reflected on our outsides. We are made clean. We are purified. And Christ presents us to God forgiven by His death, living by His resurrection, and cleansed by His word.