“Just as I am, without one plea … I come,” goes an evangelistic hymn. And so it is: the prodigal must come to God as he is, as a sinner. That is something he cannot change on his own.

However, he should not remain as he is! When he has converted, he is born again. And this is where growth starts, just like in natural life. He has an urgent need to get to know his new Lord better; he worships Him and develops a desire to serve Him practically. This is not compatible with that which characterized his former life, but he did not suddenly get rid of this former life with his conversion! He still has the old, unrenewed, and unimprovable nature within him, and he continues to live in the same world with its temptations to sin. After a short while, he must confirm the words of James: “We all stumble in many things” (Jas. 3:2).

What is to be done? When Aaron and his sons wanted to enter the tent of the meeting to honor and worship their Lord, they had to “wash with water.” It is the same for us. Today, of course, the believer no longer does this literally, but by occupying himself with the Word of God (Eph. 5:26; Heb. 10:22). In this way, God reveals His will and His standards. Existing sin is to be recognized and confessed; the believer purifies himself in order to be able to serve God with joy in practical holiness.