Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Practice Makes Perfect
Today’s Verse:
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 Corinthians 7:1
Growing up, I used to hear all the time that “practice makes perfect.” The more you do something, the better you will get at it. In fact, you will become perfect at what you keep repeating. Paul exhorts us about the practice of cleansing and God’s forgiveness. Repeated and conscientious cleansing keeps our conscience tender and clear before God. Let us see how the practice of repeated cleansing results in the perfecting of holiness.
We see the problem.
All of us have a sin problem. Paul refers to our sins as filthiness of the flesh and spirit. All sin is corrupting, defiling, filthy, and wicked. We have sins of the flesh: sins we commit with our bodies. This includes immorality, lying, covetousness, stealing, filthy communication out of our mouth, uncleanness, inordinate affections, and physical altercations. Sins of the spirit are sins of our attitude and will. This would include anger, wrath, malice, envies, jealousies, clamor, evil speaking, unforgiveness, bitterness, and unkindness. Sins of the spirit are earthly, sensual, and devilish. Where these sins are present, there is confusion and every evil work. We are in contact with sins and commit sins every day. Sin breaks our fellowship with God and robs us of His joy and power.
We see the promises.
The first promise is tied to our separation from sin: “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.” The Lord says that He will receive us. He is saying that He shows us His favor and makes His face to shine upon us as we separate from sin and draw near to Him. The second promise is that of His Fatherhood. As our loving heavenly Father and as we obey and follow Him, He pours His blessing and favor upon us as His children. He keeps us, consoles us, and comes alongside of us.
We see the practice.
“Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.” The first step in our cleansing is to come to God with a repentant heart and request His forgiveness and cleansing. The practice should be daily. We must remember that we do not cleanse ourselves. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. God’s Word is a cleansing agent. We are justified and purified when we come to God for our personal cleansing. Our cleansing involves initiative. Our cleansing must be immediate. Our cleansing must be individual. Our cleansing must be intentional. Personal cleansing must be practiced daily and as soon as we know that we have sinned.
We see the product.
Repeated, daily cleansing results in us perfecting holiness in the fear of God. We are commanded to be holy, even as God is holy. We are exhorted to pursue holiness, without which no man shall see God. Cleansing is the necessary practice for the perfecting of holiness in the fear of God. In essence, we are seeking a closeness to our Lord when we take the matter of personal cleansing seriously. Perfecting holiness means we are conforming more and more to the image of Christ. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). Perfecting holiness implies God can see a clear reflection of Himself in us.
Practice makes perfect. Practice daily, repeated cleansing from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. It is through this practice that holiness is perfected in us.
Have a purifying God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Zephaniah 1-3
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