“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”: 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… 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.”
“And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself,
just as He is pure.”
“THEREFORE
YOU SHALL BE PERFECT (HOLY),
JUST AS YOUR FATHER IN
HEAVEN IS PERFECT”
(2 Cor. 6:16-18; 7:1; Is.
64:6; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Eph. 1:4-5; 5:27; Is. 64:6; 1 Cor. 3;16-17; Heb. 10:31:
1 Jn. 3:3; Matt. 5:48)
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