Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:In a biblical context, "clearance" is not a term directly found in Scripture, but it can be understood in terms of purification, forgiveness, and the removal of obstacles or burdens. The concept of clearance is often associated with the spiritual cleansing that comes through repentance and the forgiveness of sins, as well as the removal of barriers that hinder one's relationship with God.
Biblical Themes and References:1.
Purification and Forgiveness: The idea of clearance is closely related to the purification from sin. In the Old Testament, the sacrificial system provided a means for the Israelites to be cleansed from their sins.
Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, a time when the high priest would make atonement for the people, symbolically clearing them of their sins. In the New Testament, this concept is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice provides ultimate clearance from sin.
Hebrews 9:14 states, "how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"
2.
Removal of Obstacles: Clearance can also refer to the removal of obstacles that impede spiritual growth or hinder one's relationship with God. In
Isaiah 57:14 , it is written, "And it will be said: 'Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.'" This passage emphasizes God's desire for His people to have a clear path to Him, free from hindrances.
3.
Spiritual Renewal: The process of clearance is often linked with spiritual renewal and transformation. In
Psalm 51:10 , David prays, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." This plea for a clean heart reflects the desire for spiritual clearance and renewal, a theme echoed throughout Scripture.
4.
Justification and Redemption: Clearance is also related to the theological concepts of justification and redemption. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are justified and redeemed, meaning they are cleared of guilt and declared righteous before God.
Romans 3:24 affirms, "and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
5.
Freedom from Condemnation: The clearance from sin and guilt leads to freedom from condemnation.
Romans 8:1 declares, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This assurance of no condemnation is a profound aspect of spiritual clearance, providing believers with peace and confidence in their standing before God.
Practical Implications:·
Repentance and Confession: Believers are encouraged to regularly engage in repentance and confession, seeking God's forgiveness and experiencing the clearance of their sins. 1
John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
·
Living a Holy Life: The clearance from sin calls believers to pursue holiness and live a life that reflects their new status in Christ.
1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"
·
Overcoming Spiritual Barriers: Christians are encouraged to identify and remove any spiritual barriers that may hinder their relationship with God, relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength.
In summary, while the term "clearance" is not explicitly used in the Bible, its themes are deeply embedded in the concepts of purification, forgiveness, and the removal of spiritual obstacles, all of which are central to the Christian faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of clearing; as, to make a thorough clearance.
2. (n.) A certificate that a ship or vessel has been cleared at the customhouse; permission to sail.
3. (n.) Clear or net profit.
4. (n.) The distance by which one object clears another, as the distance between the piston and cylinder head at the end of a stroke in a steam engine, or the least distance between the point of a cogwheel tooth and the bottom of a space between teeth of a wheel with which it engages.
Library
The Inwardness of Prayer
... with men. Our egoism retires before the coming of God, and into theclearance
there comes with our Father our brother. We realize...
The Relation of the Will of God to Sanctification
... sanctification. It is evident, therefore, that there is still something
in this part of the subject which demands aclearance. And...
Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory
... passage deals. I. It first recounts the thoroughclearance of idolatrous
emblems and images which Asa made. 'Strange altars,'"that...
The Words of Abbot Isaac on the Nature of Prayer.
... But yet these things when prepared will be of no use nor allow the lofty height
of perfection to be properly placed upon them unless aclearance of all faults...
The Rent Veil
... Pardon, which removes sin, and justification, which brings righteousness, make up
a deed ofclearance so real and so complete that nothing now divides the...
His First Continental Journey.
... they went to another, and while they were preparing to start for Berlenburg, William
Seebohm went to the Custom-office to show the ticket ofclearance they had...
1 John ii. 17-Dec
... nothing of evil proceed. Hear ye therefore his words, how he goes to work
in the manner of one that makes aclearance. He comes upon...
The Shortest of the Seven Cries
... Let us magnify and bless our Redeemer's name. It seems to me very wonderful that
this "I thirst" should be, as it were, theclearance of it all....
Thesaurus
Clearance (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of clearing; as, to make a thorough
clearance.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Clearance (1 Occurrence).
...Cleared (17 Occurrences)
Clear (641 Occurrences)
... 26. (vi) To obtain aclearance; as, the steamer cleared for Liverpool
to-day. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CLEAR; CLEARNESS....
Gathering (71 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:12 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thoroughclearance
of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but...
Winnowing-shovel (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:12 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thoroughclearance
of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but...
Threshing-floor (36 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:12 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thoroughclearance
of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but...
Chop (5 Occurrences)
... See Chops. 20. (n.) Quality; brand; as, silk of the first chop. 21. (n.) A
permit orclearance. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHOP....
Store (134 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:12 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thoroughclearance
of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but...
Storehouse (12 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:12 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thoroughclearance
of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but...
Burning (415 Occurrences)
... Matthew 3:12 His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thoroughclearance
of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but...
Resources
Clearance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus