I want to point out that there are three chapters to read, instead of two, today. That way we finish 2 Corinthians and start the new week in a new book.
How did you like 2 Corinthians? Did anything stand out? I would love to hear.
The very first sentence of chapter 7 got me to ponder.
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
The promises refered to are listed in the sentence before: “I will be a Father to you, and you should be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (6:18)
So, out of fear of God (honor, respect, reverence and yes, fear) I am to cleanse myself (I am already clean from what Jesus has done for me, but I need to stay clean) from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.
That reminds me of the time Jesus was washing the disciples feet. When Jesus told Peter he couldn’t have a part of Jesus if he didn’t let Jesus wash his feet, Peter replied,
“not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
The answer Jesus gave always intrigued me, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean.”
What did Jesus mean when saying we have to wash our feet? I always thought it meant I needed to keep asking forgiveness for things I have done (as instructed in the Lord’s prayer). But the reference Paul uses in 2 Corinthians to “cleanse ourselves” gave the words of Jesus some more insight to what he was saying. Jesus wants us to keep our feet clean!
How to do that, I think, can be tricky in our current culture. However, Paul gave suuupper clear instructions in chapter 6!
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers…. what part has a believer with an unbeliever” (6:16)
These are such concrete instructions on how to keep clean! But,....how many Christians follow them?
To be clear, unequally yoked is not just specific to marriage, as most teachings on the topic imply. Marriage may be the easiest yoking to identify, there are other “yokings”: business partners, psychologist/patient, teacher/student, close friends.
I can’t tell you how many times lately I have heard Christian friends defend going to a secular counselor for their problems.
What would Paul say about that in light of chapter 6?
It can be so easy to read a chapter a day to get through a reading plan, but it can be a lot harder applying what is read to our daily life!
Praise God, Jesus has washed us clean!
Yet, Lord, please help us also learn how to keep our feet clean!