Paul has a way of startling us. “Dearly beloved,” he writes, “let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of [Yahweh]” [2 Corinthians 7:1]. Although I’ve spent many hours musing on the need to contribute to the perfection of personal holiness, recently I was arrested by the thought that we should ‘cleanse ourselves’! “What?” I cried. We are cleansed from sin, our past forgiven and blotted out, by the power of Yahshua’s blood [Ephesians 1:7; Isaiah 44:22]. This is a free, precious gift known as everlasting life, where holiness is normal! Why then, does Paul need to urge us to cleanse ourselves of ‘filthiness’?
Peter and John also write about the active role that each of us must play in order to grow in salvation and maintain holiness. Peter says, “I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul” [1 Peter 2:11]. While John, writing about our hope that when we see Yahshua we will be like Him, points out, “everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure” [1 John 3:3]. The great gift of salvation demands our attention! Yahweh expects us to contribute to our spiritual growth and it astonishes me that this is described as ‘perfecting holiness’ or ‘completing sanctification’. Yahweh never intended for salvation to produce robots. Those He chooses become men and women of integrity, empowered by His Spirit to walk cleanly through a world tainted by sin and evil, folk who can learn to watch over themselves with genuine faith.
Are you one of those who make mistakes? Do you get things wrong? Are you ever tempted? I hope your answer was ‘Yes!’ to those questions. When the Holy Spirit checks us, pointing out our errors, it’s not to condemn but to convict. He’s in charge of the growth process, and will work with us diligently, encouraging and empowering us to cleanse ourselves [through confession and repentance], abstain from sinful desires, and be motivated to search for deeper purity. “Therefore…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” [Philippians 2:12].
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1 timothy 3:16 NIV - Beyond all question, the mystery from - Bible Gateway
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