| Let Us Cleanse Ourselves |
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| LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM ALL FILTHINESS 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Introduction: Because of the promises that God has made to those who obey Him of eternal life through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we should hastily put off all sinfulness of the flesh and spirit for the Fear of Him who will judge the filthy / unrighteous on the day of judgement. We should fear God if we are filthy. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Prov 1:7. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt 10:28. Paul in the Roman letter in chapter 1 was making reference to the sins of an ungodly and unrighteous people. Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful, but became vain in their thoughts and ways and thought that they were wiser than God. For this reason, God stepped aside and basically said, Well if that's the way you want to be, then have at it. God gave them totally over to uncleanness. Women were committing sexual immoratily with women and men were committing sexual immorality with men. They were unrighteous, sexually immoral, wicked, covetous, malicious, full of envy, murderers, causing strife, deceitful, evil-minded, gossipers, slanderers, haters of God, violent, proud, boastful, inventer of evil things, disobedient to parents, senseless, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, and unmerciful. God hates sin!!!! And will not tolorate it. He goes on to say that those who practice these things are worthy of death. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Paul told them that fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetors, drunkards, slanderers and extortioners WILL NOT inherit the kingdom of God. Peter said, for the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" 1 Peter 4:17-18. How do we cleanse ourselves from all filthiness, so that we can receive our promise of eternal life and escape God's wrath on those who do not know Him, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ? 2 Thes. 1:7-10. James tells us that the implanted word of God is what is able to save our souls and that we need to receive it . James 1:21. Paul in Romans 1:16 said, that the gospel is the power of God to salvation of everyone who believes. Jesus tells us that, the one who believes and is baptized WILL be saved. Mark 16:16. We should be careful to maintain good works, perfecting Godliness and God will reward us. And we will escape his wrath on that day when he will judge all mankind. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10. Paul went into Damascus and then to Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, preaching that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. Acts 26:20. Paul told young Titus that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. Titus 3:8. John encouraged the church of Smyrna in Revelations to be faithful until death, and they will receive their crown of life. And that he who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. Revelations 2:10. Special Note: With these things in mind we should try our best to obstain from all forms of filthiness. Some things that come to mind are: TV shows and music videos that promote: filty language, sex, nude scenes and violence. Radio: where singers sing about drinking and getting drunk, stealing, cheating on their spouse, committing fornication, cursing, killing, shooting, etc... People: that are of the world and ungodly, committing all kinds of sinful acts. We should be godly enough and smart enough to stay away from these kind of people and things. We should not support any of this sinfulness. Don't buy music by someone when every time you hear that song it puts bad and unclean thoughts in your mind. Paul said, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Rom. 12:1. For example: If there was a music video that shows a naked woman in bed with a man and she is singing about having sex with this man, then everytime I heard this song from then on I would see in my mind two naked people having sex. It's bad enough that we would jeopardize ourselves to this uncleanness for the first time, but to continue supporting this in the future with our money and loyal support is sinful in God's eyes. We should avoid this type of uncleanness to begin with and we should stop listening to any of this persons songs or material and we should definitely not waste good money on trash like this. Remember the title of our article, we are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God who will judge the living and the dead. 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Peter 4:5. Conclusion: Our reward in heaven should be our motivator to do God's will and not the fear of God. But the fear of God will keep us in check and on the straight and narrow if we loose focus every now and then. |