2Cor. 7:1 ¶ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
“dearly beloved” - I think it is significant to note again that Paul is writing to people he cares about and wants to encourage in spiritual growth.
What promises? The promise that declares the believer a new creation in Christ clothed in the very righteousness of Jesus and positions him as a son or daughter of God the Father. Though the Father sees us as righteous through the blood of His Son, we still have to deal with sin in this body of flesh and blood. It takes work and commitment to stay clean from the filthiness of the flesh and spirit. The Greek for filthiness is a direct reference to immorality. It is important to note that this immorality is reflected in both flesh (physical activity) and spirit (thought activity). This is the point that Jesus was making in the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Until we receive our glorified bodies, the flesh will continue to struggle with the spirit of the child of God. Paul was very clear about this struggle in his letters to the Romans and the Galatians.
Romans 7:18-19 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”
Galatians 5:16-17 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
“perfecting holiness” – This is a reference to the process of sanctification or becoming more like Jesus as we grow spiritually. What is the key to sanctification? to staying clean before God? Becoming immersed in the word of God.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Ephesians 5:25-27 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Immersing oneself in the word of God is key to fighting spiritual immorality. Many Christians find it easier to discipline the flesh for fear of what others may think. The sins of the spirit, however, are not always as easily conquered. Personally, I continually struggle with a spirit of pride and selfishness. The more time I spend in God’s word and in fellowship with the LORD in prayer, the less opportunity I give the enemy to attack me through those weaknesses.
What is our motivation for working to become more holy? The fear of God. We tend to try to soften the impact of this phrase by relating it to reverence and awe and ignoring the truth that God is to be feared with alarm and fright (from the Greek) due to His amazing power and authority. I think it is important to understand that reverence and awe spring from an understanding of the power and authority of God that should provoke fear. Jesus referenced this truth as well when talking to His disciples about having a bold witness.
Matthew 10:28 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
True fear of the LORD produces obedience to His word.
Deuteronomy 13:4 “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.”
Fear of the LORD results in deliverance from your enemies.
2 Kings 17:39 “But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.”
Psalms 34:7 “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
Fear of the LORD will always benefit us.
Psalms 34:9 “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”
Ecclesiastes 8:12 “Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:”
Fear of God eliminates pride in one’s life.
Ephesians 5:21 “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
When we fear God, it pleases Him.
Psalms 147:11 “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”
When we fear God, we will hate evil.
Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Fear of the LORD produces wisdom.
Psalms 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Fear of the LORD empowers us to have a bold witness and have no fear of man.
Psalms 118:4-6 “Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
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