“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV)
But I thought we studied a few days ago that we can’t purify or cleanse ourselves. God has to work in us to accomplish that, right? What could Paul be meaning here since scriptures do not contradict each other, but our understanding of the verses may seem like they do.
Well, at the beginning it references “having these promises.” Ok … let’s look back. What promises? Well, we studied 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 a few days ago. Let’s look at 2 Corinthians 6:18 (which is the verse right before 2 Corinthians 7:1. Remember that when the Bible was written there were no chapters or verses, just a letter.
” ‘I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty.’ ” 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NKJV)
So the promise at the beginning of chapter 7 is that God will be a Father to us and we will be His sons and daughters. Now, being a parent and grandparent I know that if my children or grandchildren want or need anything, if it is within my human power to provide their wants or needs, I will do all I can to make it happen. Well, if God is our Father and He has unlimited power, unlimited resources, unlimited knowledge, and the “unlimited” list could go on and on since nothing limits God, then our verse today could have a broader meaning.
Because God loves us as His own children, if I ask Him for help with a true desire to be cleansed from anything that separates me from Him (sin), He will provide the resources to make that happen. You see, the verse starts out that based upon God’s promises we can act in faith that He will do His part.
Listen to Bryan Gilliland as he sings “Cleanse Me (Search Me, O God)“.
Published on MyBibleRoom.com 12/31/24, 6:00 am