The Cleansing of Godliness
By Uriah Smith
“HAVING therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 7:1. Analyzing this text, the first query that claims our attention is, What are these promises which the apostle says we already have in possession? They are referred to in the preceding chapter, and may be enumerated thus:— - Divine indwelling: “I will dwell in them.” 2 Cor. 6:16.
- Divine intercourse: “and walk in them.” Id.
- A divine covenant between man and the Lord: “I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Id., last part.
- Divine acceptance: “I will receive you.” 2 Cor. 6:17.
- Divine adoption: “I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. 6:18.
Like other precious promises, these are all suspended upon conditions. These conditions are, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.” Then follow the promised reception and adoption. Who would reject the conditions, in view of the magnitude of the prize? When we comply with the conditions, and secure the prize, what more can we have? The text aims at the destruction of evil. From the standpoint of God and the Christian, “filthiness” is a terrible word. It includes moral pollution of any kind, not, perhaps, the specific sin spoken of in Heb. 12:1 as “the4sin which doth so easily beset us,” but sin in a general sense, or everything that renders the character loathsome in God’s sight. From this, says the apostle, “let us cleanse ourselves.” How extensive is this work to be? This is shown by the word “all,” and it includes the “flesh” as well as the “spirit.” By “flesh” we understand sin in all its outward manifestations, and by “spirit,” all its internal emotions. But will it not be a difficult matter, and require constant watchfulness and care, to maintain the freedom from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit necessary to secure the overcomer’s reward in the end?—Undoubtedly. The old-time adage, so often heard years ago, that “it is no small thing to be a Christian,” is undoubtedly true. But consider the help with which we have been provided. What does John promise on the confession of our sins?—That God is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Then certainly we are cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. Can any one expect to take any of the works of the flesh with him into the kingdom? “There shall in no wise,” says the record, “enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” “Those holy gates forever bar
Pollution, sin, and shame;
None shall obtain admittance there
But followers of the Lamb.” What is the exalted position aimed at?—The perfection of holiness in the fear of the Lord. Thus we are prompted by the most sacred of motives. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. But “it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:2, 3. “Let us cleanse ourselves.” It is the Lord that sanctifies his people; he puts new life within us. “It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do.” Phil. 2:13. So while God does the work, we are to be co-workers with him in the matter of our soul’s salvation.