DECIDE IN THE FAVOR OF HOLINESS
2 Cor. 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.”
Paul says, “Having therefore these promises . . .” The word “Having” means “to have or hold in the hand.” It is a present active participle. The present tense means that we have these promises right now. You know, all the promises of God are not for us. Some promises are limited to the day in which they were given. Some promises were given to Israel and they are not for the church. Paul is saying these promises are ours. What promises is he talking about? He is talking about the promises of chapter 6 verses 17 and 18: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” The words “I will receive you” is a promise of fellowhip, communion and comfort. These words are being written to those who have already been received for salvation. It is a passage teaching Christians to separate themselves from idols. The words “And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” convey a promise conditioned on obedience to what verse 17 says, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing . . .” There is intimacy promised in this verse. There is nothing more fulfilling in the life of a believer than to have that intimate communion with the Lord.
The words “dearly beloved” translate “agapetos” and means, “beloved, highly esteemed, very dear.” Paul is very careful as he ministers the Word, that they never lose sight of his love for them. All preachers and teachers of the Word would do well to practice this principle. I’ve wanted to tell some preachers that I have heard, “Hey, we’re not enemies you know! We are supposed to be on the same team.” I think there are those out there that see themselves as an Elijah attacking the prophets of Baal, when they get up to speak to their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Then the verse continues, “let us cleanse ourselves.” The words “let us cleanse” translate “katharizo.” It means “to cleanse from stains of dirt.” In a moral sense it means to be free from the defilement sin and faults. It is an aorist active subjunctive verb. The aorist tense means to do this at a point of time. The point of time might cover the event which might cover a period of time where the process of breaking off with sin and obtaining forgiveness is referred to. The aorist tense is speaking of a once-for-all cleansing. It is subjunctive mood. This is the mood of possibility. Paul is appealing to their ability to respond. He tells them the truth. He asks and challenges them to cleanse themselves, but he leaves the decision to them. You cannot make another serve the Lord. You cannot make them break with sin. They have the ultimate say. Paul respected that. If he could decide for them he would. But he can’t. Therefore he puts it in the subjunctive mood. The word “ourselves” indicates that Paul is speaking in general and not finger pointing. He includes himself and all other Christian’s in this pronoun. It is our responsibility to do this. We must decide and take action and make a break with anything that defiles.
Next he says, “From all filthiness of the flesh and spirit . . .” The word “filthiness” translates “molusmos” and means “defilement, an action by which anything is defiled.” This definition is applied first of all to the “flesh.” Strong says: “the flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.” When we are saved, we still have an old sin nature. There is conflict between the flesh and the Spirit: “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,
