| 2 Corinthians 7:1 1 Therefore having these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.1 [Richard Claridge, an outstanding early Quaker, profoundly wrote: "The real happiness of man consists in being truly religious, or holy, in our measures, as God is holy; for holiness and happiness are so nearly related, that the one cannot be, or subsist, without the other. Holiness is happiness begun, and happiness is holiness in perfection." From the Word of the Lord within: "There came a view that happiness and holiness are separable."] | |||||||||
1 Notice! Paul is addressing believers, members of the church, people with gifts of the Spirit, and he says: Therefore having these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. So, to receive the promises of heaven, it is necessary to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit and perfect holiness in the fear of God. Mark! This is the fine print requirement that the false prophets totally ignore, deceiving you into thinking you are forever righteous just by believing or getting wet with water: The ministers of the deficit sects tell their members that they are righteous, even while they are still sinning, sin being wickedness. He who says to the wicked, 'You are righteous;' him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him. Pro 24:24.
All the pastors and ministers shall be cursed, who lied, saying that with belief in Jesus, you are righteous while still locked in sin.
In effect, the ministers of today tell their members: don't seek, don't obey, don't fear, don't strive -
saying there is no need, because of grace, your supposed license for immorality and excuse for remaining in sin.
Yet Paul instructed ministers thus: "Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear." 1 Tim 5:20.
Paul also pleaded for repentance: remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
What are the promises? To be freed from sin; to be filled with love; to receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit to teach you all things; to partake in the divine nature; to become one with Christ and the Father; to have a share of the inheritance of the saints in the light, to be translated into the Kingdom of Heaven; to have Christ and the Father in you guiding and energizing you forever; to become a priest and a king, in his presence, serving him forever; to produce much fruit of the Sprit, bringing glory to your Father.
Therefore having these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
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