Purify

DEVOTION

2 CORINTHIANS

PURIFY

2 Cor 7:1

7:1 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.

NIV

We should look back just a moment to review those promises. God said, “I will live with them and walk among then and I will be their God and they will be my people.” He also said that “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters. This, of course, is because we are the temple of the living God. So this coming out from among them, not behaving in the same manner, not being yoked, no being in partnership with unbelievers in any form all relates to purifying ourselves from everything that contaminates our body and spirit. How do we expect God to live with us and walk among us and be our God and us be his people when we accept so much of the ways of the world? Do we not know that being yoked contaminates us? Just as with a team of oxen, the weaker one will also drag the stronger one back, so it is with unbelievers. If we are in partnership with them, they will drag us back. We must purify ourselves from any manner of living as the world lives. We do not live by sight, but by faith in God. God has promised so much for us if we simply live for him rather than for self as the world does. Who would we rather have walk by our side, those of the world or God? So whose side do we chose to walk by? What has the world promised us? It promises if we learn as much as we can, make the most out of education, become successful, buy all the stuff, live in a great house, drive fancy cars, and if we work hard, or smart and make lots of money, invest it wisely, store as much up as we can for some later day, we will enjoy all the benefits of life and be happy every after. It also promises that at the end we will simply die leaving everything behind and never into the kingdom of God, but perish. God promises that he will live with us, walk with us, and that he will be our Father and we will be his sons and daughters and that at the end of this life, we will have life everlasting and will enter into his Kingdom. Should we give all that up for a brief moment of self-satisfaction? Should we give that up so we can partner with unbelievers and accumulate wealth like they do? Is it that difficult for us to see what contaminates us? Can we not see the warning signs posted all over the unbelievers? Do not touch! Unclean! We cannot afford to accept their way of life, we must live for God in all ways of our life. Purify.