Let Us Cleanse Ourselves From Every Impurity Of The Flesh And The Spirit
Repentance Is More Than Saying Sorry
2 CORINTHIANS 7:1
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
”II Corinthians 7:1 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/2co.7.1.nkj
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To cleans ourselves of sin is a two fold action; it is repentance, which is far more than saying sorry, is to turn around from sin toward God and remain obedient to Him, committing such sin no more.
Paul wasn’t suggesting that the Corinthians could become totally sinless in this life, rather he was pushing them to work toward holiness and maturing in their faith.
The Corinthians were to separate themselves from paganism, making a clean break from their past and giving themselves to God alone.
Today, as Christians, we must make a clean break from our old sinful ways and give ourselves totally to God.
That is to say, put to death our old sinful man, and be born again into Christ family and receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. For “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV
To perfect holiness is to work toward complete holiness; it connotes becoming mature or complete.
God had provided the Corinthians with the resources they needed to live right; and He provides the resources we Christians need today. Just as the Spirit of God gave the Corinthians the desire and the power to do what is good, so the Holy Spirit works within His people today “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13 NKJV
God does not take away our “free will”. Turning from sin and turning toward God is a choice. Whilst God gives you the desire and the power to turn from sin, you must cooperate with the leading of the Spirit and do your part, making every effort to disregard our old sinful desires and work towards perfecting holiness.
We cannot do this in our own strength, we need help.
Thank God that He helps us, that He gave us His Holy Spirit who works within us, changing the very way we think. “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6 NLT
Therefore my beloved, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Galatians 5:16-26 NKJV
However my beloved, to walk in the Spirit, one must receive the Spirit. Therefore take heed of Peter’s words, for the promise of salvation extends to many of one loved ones. He said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.””
Acts 2:38-39 NKJV
Now that is a promise to stand upon.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen
God bless you all.
