2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Two weeks ago we discussed Holiness and the definition I gave you is that “Holiness is being so full of God there is no room for anything else.” Paul is telling the church of Corinth What, How and Why they need to do their part in bringing holiness in their life to completion.
1. What: We are to be holy and we have to do our part and cooperate with God in being the Holy People God has declared us to be.
2. How: We become holy and bring holiness to completion by cleansing ourselves of anything that would defile us, spirit, soul and body. The TDNT explains the word “cleanse” and says the term is used of physical, religious (ritual and cultic) and moral purity. It is an important concept which accompanies religious thought through its various stages. Kittle’s Lexicon says the word denotes physical, religious, and moral cleanness or purity in such senses as clean, free from stains or shame, and free from adulteration. So we have a responsibility to remove anything in our life or thought life that can contaminate. We must guard our heart above all else. (Proverbs 4:23)
3. Why: The why are the great promises that precede the verse and are found in 2 Cor 6:16-18. These promises are:
a. God will make a dwelling among us and walk among us
b. He will be our God
c. We shall be His people
d. He will be a Father to us
e. We shall be His sons and daughters
What great promises He has given to us. These are on the condition that we complete Holiness in our life by cleansing ourselves from anything that defiles.
What a great God we serve who loves us enough to make it possible for us to be His child and to dwell among us. What are we “full of”? We must be so full of Him that there is no room for anything else in our life.
