A GOOD TIME FOR CHANGE
January 2014 |
II Corinthians 7:1 – “Having therefore these Promises (that we can draw all nourishment from the Lord), dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (when one sins, he sins spirit, soul, and body; there is no such thing as the body sinning, and not the spirit, etc.), perfecting Holiness in the fear of God (to bring to a state of completion; we can do this only by ‘walking after the Spirit’ [Rom. 8:1-2], which refers to looking to the Cross, and looking to the Cross exclusively).”
An Exhortation To Believers
Paul appeals to the Believers in Corinth based upon the powerful and magnificent Promises spoken of by God in the preceding Verses. God has promised those who would separate from things worldly, things ungodly, things that are displeasing to Him, that He would come and fellowship with them. He has promised to be their God and bless them as His People. Therefore, every New Covenant Promise can be fulfilled and accomplished in the lives of those who will obey the Command to separate. These Promises and many more are ours for the taking. This Promise of Blessings abundant ought to motivate us onward into a deeper, more pure, more consecrated walk, with our God. I am speaking of a motivation that encourages us to “press in” and “press on” until all that God has for us is realized and all that God has invested in us reaches its fullest potential. The bottom line, because of all that Christ Jesus has done for me and in me, I should be ever motivated to willingly give my life to His Master Design. This means that an ongoing cleansing and perfecting should always be occurring in me.
Cleanse Ourselves
The idea of Holiness is a common theme when it comes to the true People of God. To be honest with you, Holiness is not an option. The Bible clearly states, “Be ye Holy, as I Am Holy.” We as Believers have the ongoing responsibility to live according to the dictates and the Commandments of God in this regard. Sin and weight that does so easily beset us is not to be given into or just taken lightly. We are not to be dominated by the sin nature or acts of sin, just because Grace is around to abound. God Forbid! Away with the thought! May it never be so! Therefore, much of our attention in this life is to be directed toward our Spiritual condition. Are there things in our lives, in our hearts and minds, in our spirits, that are not pleasing to God? We must allow the Holy Spirit to shine the spotlight of truth upon our beings, convicting us of any connection to things displeasing to the Lord. Although many Christians like to think that areas of their being are “perfected” at Salvation, II Corinthians 7:1 tells us otherwise. The demand to cleanse ourselves of “all filthiness” whether it resides in my flesh or my spirit is plain. It indicates that no matter how long I have lived for the Lord, there is still a ways to go. The Apostle Paul, whom God used to unveil the details of the New Covenant would say this after thirty years of living for God, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:12).
Perfecting Holiness
With the Command to “cleanse ourselves” and the need to “perfect Holiness” being very clear, someone should be asking the question, “How is this accomplished?” Man has forever tried to make himself righteous through good works. By his deeds he has mistakenly believed that he earns power to perform or earned the reward of righteousness. While works have their place, they are not the means by which cleansing and perfecting can be done. God’s Process is always and forever a process of Grace and Faith. When we locate an area of our lives that needs to be changed, we must submit to this process. Faith is required for only by Faith can we please Him. But our faith must also be in the provision that God has afforded to us. Therefore, our faith must always be, sincerely, singularly, consistently placed in Christ. His Finished Work at Calvary guarantees my Victory over all aspects of the world, the flesh, and the Devil. As I daily place my Faith in Who He is and what He has done, the Grace of God (the effectual working of the Spirit on my behalf) begins to take out of me what I don’t need and invest into me that which I require to live Holy. I must not attempt to arrive at holiness through man’s mechanical means. By that I mean that we must resist the temptation to try to deliver ourselves through religious works. There is no need for what Jesus already paid for. As we daily, hour by hour, and minute by minute, maintain our simple Faith in the Cross, the Work of Christ, His Spirit continually fills me with His Presence and His Power to live a Holy life. I not only need to be willing to see my need, I must also attend to that need the Bible way. That way is the way of Faith in Christ and Him Crucified. As this new year kicks off, why not dedicate yourself to the exhortations above and let God live through you in a greater way than ever before!
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