2Corinthians 7:1 ¶ Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. (NLT)
A promise is not a tangible motivation to secure long term compliance – frequently we lose our confidence in receiving what we have been promised. Many believer have wavered under the delay of God’s promises because we attribute God’s character to what we have experienced among others. Faith and devotion must be based upon God’s promise and purpose rather than immediate gratification. One of the most important understandings of God’s Word is the historical account of God’s faithfulness to Israel – as we read concerning the covenant promises and their fulfillment we learn of God’s immutable sovereign presence and absolute security in His ‘conditional’ promises. The deviation from divine purpose was never God initiated – it was always the result of man’s disregard for His commands. God declares Himself different from us in one very important quality – HE DOES NOT LIE! Our motivation to cleanse ourselves from all that defiles (defined by His written Word) is often simply our reverent fear of God. Reverent fear does not worry about punishment but it is ever concerned with obedience that brings His pleasure. Cleansing of things that defile require a conscious willful decision to walk in holiness. We prove our gratitude, love, devotion and praise through our dedication to live by the standards recorded in His eternal Word and our desire to emulate the life of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Read through the Bible in one year – May 10 / John 1:29-51; 2 Kings 10,11,12
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.