How much out there in the world is corrupt and how much of it are we a part of? I know from experience that it is very easy to get caught up in all that is going on around us and believe that all is well because “everybody is doing it”. If society says it is okay, then it must be okay for me to take part in those activities. Well for us as Christians and members of the temple of the Living God, it is not acceptable and we should be looking to cleanse ourselves in the fear of God.
“1Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” – 2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)
And just what are those promises:
“16What agreement has the temple of God with idols? Fore we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Threfore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18and I will be a father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.’” – 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (ESV)
When we are engaged in the clean things, God welcomes us into His presence. Paul tells us here that we will be God’s children when we separate ourselves from those that would corrupt us.
This does not mean that we should not work to bring the gospel to those in society that are working against us. Even Jesus ate and communed with those that would be against Him. But that is where it ends, in the bringing of the gospel to them and to befriend them in such a way to act as they and follow them into the corruption.
We are followers of Christ as as such we have a duty to act accordingly. We should rid ourselves of all that is unclean and act like Jesus. We are to be working for Him and not against Him. As stated in verse 1 of chapter 7 above, we are to be “bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God”. And how do we do that, by following Him and doing the will of God at all times. That conscious effort to do the will of God at all times leaves little room for any of the defilement that may come from the world and society we physically live in.
When you are in the world, where is it that you look for the actions you will take? Are you finding your guidance in society or in the will of the Lord? What if you were to cleanse yourself of all that would be against God and follow Him in “bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God”?
Trevor's Thoughts 