“that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:26–27, ESV)

I enjoyed an excellent conference on Saturday. The topic was spiritual formation. Dr. John Coe used some entertaining and memorable visual pictures to help the participants understand the work and power of God in our life. Some of his illustrations will not be soon forgotten.

Dr. Coe discussed God’s plan to remove sin and distractions from our life. His descriptive talk included a discussion of enemas, warm water washing out impurities from the body. The Living water washing impurities from our spiritual life is good but can be uncomfortable. The relief comes when we open up and allow the impurities to flow out freely.

This discussion brought to mind a lesson I taught many years ago. It was also about allowing the Living water to come, and wash us clean. I encouraged my students to go home and use a simple object lesson to drive the message home.

I instructed them to take a clear container and fill it with water. After that they were to put a few drops of food coloring into the water. Then they were to hold the container under a faucet and let clear fresh water flow into the container. They were to watch as the coloring became increasingly diluted until the water was clear.

My plan was to give a picture of sanctification. How the Sprit in truth pours into our life and the impurities and sins of the past are washed away. If I had known then what I learned this weekend, I would suggest doing the same activity with different containers.

Dr. Coe stressed the need for openness. In my exercise, this made sense. It would take a lot longer to wash the impurities out of a coke bottle, than it would to wash them off a plate. The openness makes it easier to get the water in and the junk out.

Honesty and openness before God will clear our hearts and minds of impurities. It will bring spiritual health. So with an honest and open mind we pray “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10, ESV).