My Purgatory

We cannot enter into the glorious presence of God as long as we are polluted with sin. The Bible warns us that nothing that defiles shall enter Paradise. We need purification!

Catholics are taught and expect that after death “they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification" (Catechism 1030,1031).

The Bible clearly teaches how we can be washed from our sin. The Word of God assures believers that "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). His blood really and actually cleanses "from all sin." God's people praise Him "who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood" (Revelation 1:5). And again, Christ "had by himself purged our sins" (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus Christ and nothing else is the believer's purification.

Perhaps up till now you have hoped that after death you will go to a place of suffering to undergo cleansing from sin. The opportunity to experience purification and complete forgiveness is now, while you are still alive. God is kind and forgiving. He really forgives and cancels the debt of all those who turn to him. Look to Jesus the Deliverer, whose death on Calvary is a full and adequate payment for the sins of his people. His blood was not shed in vain; it actually purifies the soul from all defilement.

Do you believe in purgatory? I hope you will affirm, "Yes, I believe in God's purgatory. My purgatory is the Lord Jesus Christ!"

(Gospel e-Letter - July 2017).