Seeking Jesus First - Aug. 4. 2023
If God, in His Word, tells us to do something, or tells us that we can do something, and we go around saying that we can’t do it, who is right?
We both are. God is always right, but we will also be right, in that, until we believe God, we will not be able to do it.
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1, NKJV)
“Beloved ones, with promises like these, and because of our deepest respect and worship of God, we must remove everything from our lives that contaminates body and spirit, and continue to complete the development of holiness within us.” (2 Corinthians 7:1, TPT)
“THEREFORE, SINCE these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1, AMP)
Here are three translations of the same verse and each translation states that, because of God’s promises, we can cleanse ourselves of contaminating defilements of body and spirit and continue to complete the development of holiness in us. Believe it or not. The Word of God states this over and over.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12–13, NKJV)
“by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:4, NKJV)
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:14, NKJV)
“and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:23–24, NKJV)
Paul goes on into more specifics in Ephesians 4:25-32 what it looks like to put off the old man and put on the new man.
The Bible does not tell us that it is impossible for us to do what is right. The Bible tells does tell us that it is only possible to be righteous through faith in Christ Jesus. So, a person can do right and not be righteous. And a person can be righteous and not do right. However, through faith in Christ Jesus we can be righteous and do right.
All things are possible to him who believes.
Our relationship with God is not built around performance, but God does reward performance. Separate in your mind and heart what it takes to receive righteousness. It is a free gift paid in full by Jesus Christ. If someone ordered a gift from you online and it is delivered to your door, all you have to do is receive it. Open the door, pick up the package, open the package and use the gift. Jesus ordered up the free gift of righteousness for everyone on earth. All they have to do is open the door of their heart and receive by believing. Yet, some people look at the package and say, “I don’t want this. I’ll send it back.”
All of the aspects of salvation that belong to those who receive the gift of righteousness take another step. It takes faith with the corresponding action of confession and obedience to walk in all of the aspects of salvation here on earth. Obeying Christ’s command , to “love one another as I have loved you,” is what brings the true freedom of salvation into your earthly life. Paul makes this point when he talks about the fruit of the spirit and the works of the flesh. A person who practices the works of the flesh will not experience the benefit of righteousness, joy and peace (the kingdom of God) in this life. But the person who practices love and it’s many manifestations of joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness goodness and self-control, will begin experiencing the benefits of the kingdom of God in this life.
“For all of God’s promises find their “yes” of fulfillment in him. And as his “yes” and our “amen” ascend to God, we bring him glory!” (2 Corinthians 1:20, TPT)
All of God’s promises are a big, “Yes” to us in Christ Jesus. We add our faith and the promise of righteousness fills our spirit. We continue to in this righteousness and begin removing the defilements of soul and body and holiness permeates our entire being. “Let’s make this easy,” Christ said. God is love. Christ is love. God’s holiness is best described as perfect love. There is nothing in Him that hates or allows bitterness in or acts according to a fleshly desire. He is love. He is full of love. His holiness is His love. His love makes Him different. His love separates Him from evil and darkness. You can say a similar thing about life and light. Being light separates Him from darkness. Being life separates him from death. As sanctification has its work in us, we are separated from fear, hate and bitterness because of love. We are separated from the kingdom of darkness because of light. We are separated from death because of life.
The fact is, we can love like God loves. We can walk in the light as children of light. We can live and not die. Just believe it, confess it and start doing it. We are not alone. Christ Jesus and Holy Spirit live in us.