PROCLAMATION
“Having
therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV)
“Therefore,
since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from
everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of
reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)
EXPLANATION
These
words were written by the Apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit
of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth. Paul begins this chapter by encouraging the
believers to cleanse themselves for all sinfulness of mind and body because we
have the promises of God. The promises which Paul is referring to are: 1.
that God will receive us if we obey Him; 2. that God will be a Father to us;
and 3. that we will be His sons and daughters. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)
Paul says that since we have these promises from God, we should purify our body
and spirit of everything that contaminates us, out of reverence to Him.
APPLICATION
These
promised blessings are conditional promises, they depend upon our obedience to
God’s Holy Word. We need to help each
other obey Him. We should encourage one
another to engage in holiness of heart and life and not in the sinfulness of
the flesh or evilness of spirit. We need to lead a Christ-like life if we
want God to treat us as His children. We have already been cleansed by
the blood of Christ, but we contaminate our heart and mind daily with our
sinful thoughts, words, and actions. That is why we need to pray,
confess, and ask to be forgiven daily in order to be cleansed from our sins and
unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) We also need to turn from our sinful ways.
(2 Chronicles 7:14) We cannot clean up our heart, mind, or spirit, by
ourselves. Only God can do that for us. (Psalm 51:10) However, He
will only do it if we pray and ask Him.
We need His help to walk this Christian walk.
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