The Bible Edge
Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have the Bible Edge
II Corinthians 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.
Immediately the promises Paul mentions are found in the last two verses in the previous chapter. 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. (II Corinthians 6:17-18) He will receive us, He will be our Father, we will be His sons and daughters. Because of these precious promises, as Paul writes… let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
There is within every single believer in Christ that which they need to do this. To “let” themselves clean up their flesh and spirit and continually strive for that perfecting holiness in the reverential fear of God Almighty. One way, an edge in doing so, a Bible Edge, is to remember the promises you have from God. I think I saw a book one time that was a 365 devotional on the promises of God. I think the title was “A promise a day from God” or something to that effect. What a wonderful way to remember the promises of God.
Just the promise of being His child should be enough to motivate us to let our lives, heart, and spirit be clean. I once read a story of a cleaning lady for one of those skyscraper office buildings in a big city. She always acted with proper decorum, she dressed modestly (in cost and in decency), she was always pleasant to all. After working overnight inside the building on a certain day she decided to sweep the outside steps in front of the building. While doing so, the man who owned the building noticed her and approached her with a question. “Why is it that you, who probably have the worst job in this building, are always so happy and look stately?” To which she replied: “I may work for you as a cleaning lady, but I am a child of God and as such I have a future to look forward to, promises from my Father in Heaven that someday I will rule and reign with Him.” Now, that is a lady who let herself cleanse herself and continually practiced to perfect holiness based not on what those things would do for her, but rather on the promises of God her Father to her.
Let us be as confident in His promises.
William Howe, Ph.D.
Comments