LET US RID OURSELVES OF EVERYTHING THAT CONTAMINATES US

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)

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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.

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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.