2 Corinthians 7:1 Amplified Bible
1 Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV
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.
2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV
1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
This verse begins with Paul emphasizing that we have PROMISES from God. The Amplified Bible expounds further calling them great and wonderful promises, which they certainly are. In this earthly life, just like Paul, there will be trials that take us through valleys where we must depend upon our trust and faith in God.
We need more than hope and expectations as we go through this journey. As the old saying goes, “we need something we can hang our hat on.”
We need something we can depend on.
We need someone we can trust.
We need someone we can rely upon when on the mountain top or in the valley.
And Paul emphasizes that we have these promises made by God.
God has made us many promises, but we want to elaborate on two here, which Paul was including in his statement “therefore since we have these great and wonderful promises.”
First of all, as a child of God, He promises to never leave or forsake us. No matter what the trial or valley may be, even death, God has given His word to be with us all the way.
Then, if we are His child, God promises us a home with Him for all eternity when our journey here is completed. When our physical body dies, our soul will be transported by the angels to be with our Heavenly Father.
AND all of God’s promises are true for the Christian, through Jesus Christ and only through Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:20 Amplified Bible
20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God.
Jesus is the fulfillment of all of God’s promises found in the Old Testament and since the sacrificial death of Christ, all of God’s promises to His children are because of and through Jesus Christ. So, in Christ all of God’s promises are answered “YES."
Now Comes the "Therefore"
Therefore, God wants His children to PURIFY themselves from everything that contaminates the body and spirit, and perfecting holiness.
Because we have the many wonderful and glorious promises of God as His child, saved and redeemed by the blood of Christ, we therefore have something we need to do and that God wants us to do.
Paul says we need to cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates the body and soul. We need to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirt.
In other words, purifying ourselves.
Some denominations call this process sanctification, and a second work of grace, where our lives become obviously “set apart” from the world.
I believe it is part of the process of our spiritual growth.
We are to grow in holiness and purity as we grow spiritually.
Ephesians 1:4 KJC
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
God didn’t choose us in Him individually before the foundation of the world. In other words, God did not pick and choose who would become His child. That wouldn’t be the God we know (more on this in a future lesson).
But rather He chose ALL who would accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior of their own free will.
And as studied in prior lessons, we believers are now the chosen people of God, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a peculiar (set apart) people.
1 Peter 2:9 KJV
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
And as His children we are to be holy and blameless before Him in love.
Whether we call it sanctification or a closer walk with God, it is something that all believers should desire to grow into in our spiritual journey and spiritual growth process.
A life that is purified and holy, where all those that we come into contact with will see the teachings of Jesus in our words, actions and deeds.
Otherwise, there would be no “lights of the world” that Jesus said we should be.
Paul said it, lived it and proved it can be done.
God wants us to do it too.
RVH