As I write the new several posts, I do so from the SBC Annual Meeting in Phoenix. Therefore, the posts may be altered by the surroundings or the speakers. Regardless the posts will continue as usual.
Paul opens the chapter with a remarkable verse which could serve as a personal mission statement for each of us. He says, "Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God." There are two incredible phrases in this passage. First, we see Paul encouraging the Corinthians to cleanse both their body and spirit. His intent is to not merely do the right things and forsake the wrong things but also to let all of their actions be for the right reason. Too often in the early Christian era, as in now, people felt as though they were justified if only their external actions were cleansed. However, Paul takes the inner attitude and spirit into consideration as well. The second phrase Paul uses is that we must "work toward complete holiness." This attitude which Paul implores is one, as we discussed earlier, of discipline. We must discipline ourselves for holiness. This entails hard labor and a deterministic spirit to rid ourselves of all unrighteousness to "work toward holiness.".
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