II Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
So far we have learned of the importance of walking by faith. We have a hope that is sure and stedfast if we are saved. We have promises that cannot be broken. They are from God and He does not lie.
Paul is directed to remind the saints that they are indeed dearly beloved, both by God and the apostle Paul. It is important to be loved. It is important to know true love. There is much superficial love which is often quite shallow. The love of God is deep. God does not need anything from us. The apostle Paul did not need anything from the saints in Corinth.
He had already discovered they were rather weak in the faith. He did not pout because he did not get what he needed. He went out and made tents to support himself as he sought to help them to grow in their faith. They would have benefited much more if they would have helped him as they should have.
He saw some of what God saw in them. He knew God’s Word was powerful and that God would be able to make the saints a blessing to Him and to others. He was thankful to have a part in helping them along.
It is needful for God’s people to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. Again we are reminded that true saints cannot continue in sin. They cannot keep their sinful habits. God does not sanctify any sin. Jesus Christ died and shed His blood to remove the curse of sin from those who believe in Him. Sin of any type is bondage. It is a joy killer. The spirit of the saved person wants to be free from sin. They do not want to pretend they are ok when it is obvious they are not.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
That was part of Jesus’ prayer to His Father shortly before He would be tried and crucified. He wanted His followers to be free from the bondage of sin. He did not suffer and die to sanctify sin. His sacrifice was to deliver us from bondage. He succeeded in what He came to do.
Those who are bound in sin are in that state because they refuse to trust in God. Redefining sin does not make it go away. It does not bring the joy that the heart is longing for.
Turning to God and being forgiven is what the soul is looking for. Paul was writing to those who were saved, but still lingering. They needed to act upon the gift they had been given. This was not simply self effort that would cleanse them. Biblical cleansing is possible as the child of God yields to God’s design for him as a saint.
We see here that true saints need to perfect holiness in the fear of God. When a person gets saved, that is just the starting point of the Christian life. The thief on the cross did not have much time to perfect holiness in his life. He went to heaven because he trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for his salvation. God did not hold it against him that he could not go and do something as a true child of God.
Those, like the Corinthians, were not nailed to a cross. They had opportunity to grow. As they would grow they would have the benefit of showing others the blessing of true salvation.
The drug addict that has listened to the lies of our system and goes to a “safe” injection sight for drugs, wants to be free from that curse. He is so bound by his sin, that he does not know how to get out of it. He goes to the government which should know better, but it just keeps him in bondage and steals money from the taxpayers to fund their foolish systems.
The person hooked on cigarettes knows that he is ruining his health. He knows his habit is costly. He would love to be free from that, but he thinks that is his only way to calm his nerves. He would love to be free, but does not know what to do. He or she is so bound and so proud that they refuse to believe what God’s Word says.
The saved person can show them and many others that God’s salvation is real and it works. It does set the captive free, not just in theory, but in actual fact. It is great to be a true child of God! It is better than anything that Elon Musk could discover. He has just become the first trillionaire. He has a number of children but no family. He is materially rich, but bankrupt with God. He has shut his mind to the truth and is seeking for meaning in life. He is not satisfied with all that he has. Everything he has will be left behind when he dies.
The person that is saved has a hope that is sure. He is a child of the King. He has a home in heaven. He needs to live in the light of that promise and that hope. That is not a burden. That is liberating.
Today is the Lord’s Day, It is the day God has designed for all people to stop their earthly pursuits and go to a good church where they can hear the Word of God preached. It is amazing what that preaching will do for your soul. If you are one who does not have a good church, why not come and visit ours. We are sinners saved by grace. We are not perfect, but we serve a perfect God. His Word will challenge your heart and soul and He has the perfect gift for you today.
Pastor Bartel