Marsha's Musings: How Then Shall We Live? (2 Cor. 7:1)

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 KJV)

What promises does Paul talk about?

Here they are:

God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:16-18 KJV)

In light of these promises we are to do the following:

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; 

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;

(2 Corinthians 6:16-18 KJV)

Most people in the U.S. and Canada don't bow before idols in their worship, however, there are many religions that do on this continent as well as around the world.  

What is an idol?  It is anything that you allow to take the place of Jesus Christ or that you esteem as more important than your than Jesus Christ and His Word (the Bible)

I am so guilty of this from time to time!  When I get too busy trying to keep up with my day to day activities that I fail to take time to read my Bible, meditate on what God is saying to me through His Word and spend time in prayer, then I have made my schedule and activities into an idol. 

You see, bowing in prayer before an idol of Mary, Budda, etc. is not the only way to put idols in the place of Jesus Christ.

We can make an idol out of our Sunday dinner when we sit in church planning in our minds what we are going to fix or how we are going to fix it.  We elevate the dinner above paying attention to God's Word being preached. It becomes an idol. We do the same thing with our weekly schedule, allowing it to take over our thoughts instead of worshipping God with all our mind and heart.

I think you get my drift. There are so many ways that we can put people, things and activities over and above God in our lives.

And that is to say nothing of sinful behaviors that are done in private by some. Pornography, lusting after others, coveting other's possessions and spouses are idols because these activities are done in direct disobedience to God's Word. It is to elevate one's desires above God's desires.

So, in light of the promises that God will be in you and be your God, receive you and you will be His people and He will be a Father to you and you will be His sons and daughters, how are we to live?

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 KJV)