What Must Be Cleansed?

[Mr. M]

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved,

let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,

perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

[Willa]

Our hearts must be cleansed--our innermost being.  

[Mr. M]

26 minutes ago, Willa said:

Our hearts must be cleansed--our innermost being.  

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. 

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

[Mr. M]

Just now, Mr. M said:

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. 

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

With more context...

4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship

with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be

a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 

5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 

“The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, 

you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned

to mourning and your joy to gloom. 

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother 

and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law.

But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 

12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. 

Who are you to judge another?

[Sower]

         What Must Be Cleansed?

1 hour ago, Mr. M said:

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved,

let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,

perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

    "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
                    and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"      1 John 1:9

     "Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
       You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you"    John 15

                  “I am the vine; you are the branches.
        If you remain (abide) in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;
                   apart from me you can do nothing"  John 15

 

Thanks Mr M...

 

[Mr. M]

13 hours ago, Mr. M said:

Therefore, having these promises

Leading up to this...

2 Corinthians 6:

11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 

12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 

13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

Only then...

11 hours ago, Sower said:

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
                    and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"      1 John 1:9

 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness,

we lie and do not practice the truth. 

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar,

and His word is not in us.

This is what is meant by "purpose of heart"...

Acts 11:23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad,

and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.

[Mr. M]

14 hours ago, Mr. M said:

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved,

let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,

perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Without the fear of God, we risk falling under this condemnation:

Matthew 23:

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! 

For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish,

but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 

26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish,

that the outside of them may be clean also.

Am I wrong to suggest that we hold ourselves accountable 

to the Word of the Lord for the Pharisees, if our righteousness

is to exceed theirs?

[Sower]

4 hours ago, Mr. M said:

Am I wrong to suggest that we hold ourselves accountable 

to the Word of the Lord for the Pharisees, if our righteousness

is to exceed theirs?

No.

1 Samuel 16:7  But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

 

[D. Adrien]

Christians have the righteousness of Jesus as an adornment. This exceeds by far anybody's righteousness.

Rom 10:4

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

[Mr. M]

16 minutes ago, D. Adrien said:

Christians have the righteousness of Jesus as an adornment. This exceeds by far anybody's righteousness.

Rom 10:4

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you.

He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.