“THEREFORE, HAVING
THESE PROMISES”: The Apostle Paul is speaking to the church at Corinth, to the
brethren... saints... Christians, and to twenty-first century saints as well.
These “promises” are found in the preceding verses: That God would dwell in us
and walk among us, that He would be our Father and we would be His sons and
daughters.
“BELOVED, LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES”:
“Therefore, having ... let us”: This construction imposes a condition on
receiving God’s promises. The condition is that we cleanse ourselves. Note who
is doing the cleansing... We are!
“FROM ALL FILTHINESS OF THE FLESH AND SPIRIT”: We may look pretty
good to ourselves, but to God our flesh and spirit are filthy... vile...
nasty... obscene... sordid... disgusting. Remember, Isaiah likened man’s
righteousness to filthy menstrual rags.
“PERFECTING HOLINESS”: “Therefore you shall be perfect... spiritually mature... holy, just
as your father in heaven is perfect.” The purpose of our self cleansing is to bring to maturity
our holiness... that we would be a “Holy temple in the Lord ... holy and without
blame” For God has “predestined us to adoption as sons.” Holiness is not an
option! It is a command: “Be holy, for I Am holy.” God is holy... like Father... like son.
“IN THE FEAR OF GOD”: If love
doesn’t motivate us... fear should! “It is a fearful
thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
“BE HOLY,
FOR I AM HOLY”
GOD IS
HOLY...
LIKE
FATHER... LIKE SON...
(2 Cor. 6:16-18; 7:1; Is. 64:6; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Eph.
1:4-5; 5:27; 1 Cor. 3;16-17; Heb. 10:31: Matt. 5:48)
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