First, let's consider what is meant by purged. Most Christians already know this, but some who read this blog are not Christians, so here is an explanation. Often referenced here on this site is Webster's 1828 dictionary found online. It is an excellent reference when it is used for meanings of Bible words.
Purge, according to Webster's, means to clear from guilt or moral defilement; as to purge away sin. Webster's gave Psalm 79:9 as a reference which reads in the King James Version : "Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name: and deliver us and purge away our sins, for Thy name's sake."
Another wonderful verse is from John 15:2 . Let's consider both verse 1 and 2:
Jesus speaking:
(1) I am the vine, and My Father is the husbandman;
(2) Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit."
Following are from John Trapp's Commentary on the above verses:
"Every branch in Me " = That thinks himself to be in Me, and is so thought to be by others, but proves not to be so. These are said to 'deny the Lord that bought them, to trample on the blood of the covenant wherewith they were sanctified, to wallow in the mire from which they had been washed.' (2 Peter 2:1,22 ; Hebrews 10:20) So here, to be branches in Christ and yet unfruitful. Not that they ever were in Christ, but seemed to be so, as a pole fixed in the earth, but not rooted........ " He purgeth it"- Of all possessions, saith Cato, none requires more pains about it than that of the vineyards. Grain comes up and grows without the husbandman's care (Mark 4:27), he knows not how. But vines must be dressed, supported, sheltered, pruned every day almost; lopped they must ever and anon, lest the juice be spent in leaves. And if it be painful to bleed, it is worse to wither. Better to be pruned to grow than cut up to burn."
Where vines are concened, pruning can be likened to "purging" sins of people.
Consider the main subject verses of this post: John 10:27-30 which follow:
(27) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. (29) My Father, which gave them Me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. (30) I and My Father are one."
What comforting and hopeful words if you are a true believer in the Savior Jesus Christ !
The above verses spoken by Jesus are explained wonderfully in the following 60 minute audio sermon by Charles Spurgeon. It is the best explanation of these verses in John 10 that I have ever heard. Spurgeon lived from1834 to 1892, and is known as "the prince of preachers." It is estimated that he preached to over 10 million persons in his lifetime. Please listen to his entire sermon below. It, too, is comforting and will enrich your life when you consider the way he explains this message of how no one can pluck you out Jesus' or the Father's hands (although Spurgeon, instead of the KJV "pluck" says "snatch"... which of course means the same thing.) Of course, the main source to enrich our lives is to read God's Holy Word, the Bible, daily and to be daily in prayer as well! The good Lord desires to fellowship with us, His children!
In his sermon above, Charles Spurgeon tells us "Know Him and obey Him. If you do not, you are not His sheep."
Jesus will return soon to take His Bride (true believers, His Church) to be with Him in heaven.
Jesus loves you!
If you are not saved (have not been born again - a spiritual birth from above):
He is waiting to hear from you!
He will welcome you with open arms to embrace you with love and forgiveness!
Following are Scriptures that will help you if you take them to heart and believe with all of your heart and soul -- all of your very being -- that Jesus' shed blood at the Cross can wash you clean- cleanse you from your sins and welcome you into the family of God when you have faith in Him and believe that He is the Savior. You must first repent of known sins, and pray sincerely for forgiveness!
John 3:36 tells us: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) - 2 Corinthians 6:2
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and Life!!
