The first verse of this chapter concludes Paul’s message about being “unequally yoked.” Remember, this was a letter and not broken into chapters or verses.
7 So then, dear friends, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises
The promises are at the end of chapter 6.
I will dwell
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
17 Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
and I will welcome you.
18 And I will be a Father to you,
and you will be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.2 Corinthians 6:17-18
The person boldly separates himself from the chaotic world. He embraces a holy life and knows the profound truth that God is his Father. He has been welcomed into the family of God as His beloved child. This incredible knowledge ignites a fire within believers, motivating them to pursue a life that is pure and blameless. God’s grace is not a careless permission to indulge in sin! A true believer would never utter, “Since I am forgiven, I can sin!” Instead, the true believer proclaims with passion, “God has purified my soul! I am called to serve Him and fervently strive to reflect His holiness!”
Let us cleanse ourselves
The washing away of our sin is a work of God. He washes our hearts. He renews us with the Holy Spirit. He regenerates us.
29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
Romans 8:29-30
See who God is and what He is doing. He chose us. He took the initiative.
4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.
Ephesians 1:4
Paul wrote, “even as He chose us in him before the foundation of the world.”
God didn’t merely gaze into the future. He didn’t choose you based on the incredible person you might one day become. No, with a fierce and passionate love for each sinner, He boldly proclaimed, “I choose you!” These weren’t flawless beings—far from it. They were beautifully flawed, broken in their humanity. Yet, amidst the chaos of our lives, it is God who moves powerfully, orchestrating every detail with divine precision. He predestines with an unwavering purpose, molding and shaping us with relentless love. He beckons to each heart, justifies the most undeserving among us, and glorifies His exquisite creation. He is utterly sovereign. He takes the initiative to reach out and embrace us, imperfections and all. He draws us closer to His heart.
Your salvation is a result of His work, not your own. And your sanctification is also through Him.
6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you[a] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
What He began, He will undoubtedly bring to completion! This truth is paramount! You cannot rely solely on your strength or willpower to conquer sin. You can’t simply wake up one day and declare, “Today, I will not sin. Today, I will resist that alcohol. Today, I will not indulge in lust. Today, I will keep my temper in check.” Your willpower alone is insufficient for true transformation!
How can you overcome these things?
It is through Christ that transformation unfolds! He is the one who breathes new life into your very being! The Holy Spirit ignites a powerful regeneration within your heart. God takes on the magnificent roles of Savior, justifier, and sanctifier, working tirelessly to mold you into His divine creation!
So what is our role? Can we just kick our feet back and relax?
We are the ones being beautifully molded by His hands. We are the clay, and He is the divine potter. Therefore, we must willingly become the cooperative clay, embracing the artistry of His craftsmanship in our lives. We do this by surrendering our will to His magnificent purpose. We approach Him with fervor and declare, “We long to be transformed by You. Shape our lives according to Your divine plan!” Rather than resisting His loving will, we wholeheartedly embrace it, allowing His presence to guide us toward our destiny.
Our role is anything but passive! We are summoned to actively turn our hearts toward God, fervently seeking His transformative power to reshape us. We are called to wholeheartedly cooperate with God’s sanctifying work in our lives. God wants us to be fervent in our devotion to Him. He expects us to be unwavering in our commitment to diligently apply His Word!
What are you defiled with? What sin may you be entangled in? Take it to God right now. Confess your sin. Ask Him to cleanse you and help you overcome it.
Cross-References:
- Titus 3:5
- Galatians 5:24
- Psalm 51:10
Reflective Questions:
- What promises is Paul referring to?
- Based on the context, what defilement is in mind here?
- Why is it important to know that physical defilement also affects the spirit?
- How can the fear of God motivate you to holy living?
2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, corrupted no one, taken advantage of no one. 3 I don’t say this to condemn you, since I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 I am very frank with you; I have great pride in you. I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in all our afflictions.
5 In fact, when we came into Macedonia, we[b] had no rest. Instead, we were troubled in every way: conflicts on the outside, fears within.
2 Corinthians 7:2-5
Make room in your hearts for us
Paul fervently implores them to open their hearts to him. He showcases a deep desire for a genuine, heartfelt relationship with them throughout the letter. This serves as a powerful lesson we can extract from Paul’s approach to ministry. He never sought to exploit these individuals for personal gain, nor did he regard them merely as statistics. Each person held immense significance in his eyes, and he cherished them profoundly. Every action he took was fueled by overwhelming love and compassion for them.
Love is the key. Without it, a minister will get burnt out and view service as an annoyance rather than a blessing.
We have wronged no one
Paul passionately defends his actions, fervently reminding them of his unwavering pure motives. Rather than exploiting his position for personal gain, he acted with genuine concern for their well-being. In other words, he stands resolute, innocent of any malicious intent towards him!
There is a time when it is necessary to offer a defense of one self. When the credibility of the gospel or God’s word is at stake, one should defend himself. The principle then is “all things for the gospel.” If the gospel is furthered by remaining silent, remain silent. If the gospel is furthered by speaking to defend your actions, then speak out.
To die together and to live together
Believers unite as one magnificent body, intertwined in an unbreakable bond. We belong to the same family, marching forward on a shared journey. As comrades in arms, we vow to uplift and protect one another fiercely. There can be no division among us. A body cannot stand strong if it is torn apart from within.
I have great pride in you
Paul was overwhelmed with comfort by the heartfelt response to his previous letter. He faced trials and tribulations of his own. Despite this, their sincere repentance after his fervent rebukes ignited a profound joy within him. Once again we see that joy is not dependent on circumstances. Paul’s circumstances were challenging. His joy came from seeing people do well and grow spiritually.
One powerful way to test your priorities is to reflect on what ignites a fire within you. What truly fills your heart with joy? If you find yourself exhilarated by the beauty of materials, perhaps that’s where your true passion lies. And if your spirit soars when people embrace God’s word, then you are undoubtedly on a magnificent path. This stirring reaction is a glorious indication of your calling.
Cross-References:
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11
- Galatians 6:2
Reflective Questions
- What can we learn from Paul about how to conduct Christian ministry?
- How did Paul feel about the Corinthians?
- What do you think filled Paul with comfort?
- Why is love so important in ministry?
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