2 Cor 7:1 Since we have these promises …

We have these promises from God and as Jesus’ bride we claim them, claim the fulfillment of them. But that is only from a human perspective. Do we at the same time, from God’s perspective, recognize His claim on us? If we realize and claim that our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, do we at the same time have a habit(s) that goes against that claim?

We are familiar with the term “sanctification;” setting us apart for a particular purpose, God’s purpose of making us holy. But it doesn’t end with God setting us apart, that is just the beginning. It is then our responsibility to transform our natural life into a spiritual life by obedience to Him.

Rom 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ESV 

Once we were set apart we were “predestined” to become just like Jesus. That word means that God “pre ordained” that as we become His sons and daughters that we were destined to follow the path He sets before us to become just like Jesus; His character becoming our character. And that entails the challenge that goes along with the promise:

2 Cor 7:1 … beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. ESV

We are to cleanse ourselves from the filthiness of the flesh and spirit until we are just like Him, which will take a lifetime down here and not be complete until we stand before Him. It means that we have the responsibility of keeping our spirit in agreement with the Holy Spirit.

We have to ask ourselves, are we perfecting God’s holiness? Is God getting His way in us? Is the life of Christ being evidenced in us? Are others beginning to see God in our life more and more?

Good questions the Lord asks me to keep on the front burner all the time? No excuses!

Why? Because in believing the promise of John3:16 I received the Holy Spirit and my body became His Temple, filled to overflowing with the fullness of Jesus. His purity, holiness, truth, life … “all” of Him. We have been given all that we need to complete our transformation, we only need to be obedient to His voice and work out our own salvation (Phil 2:12). Our transformation is the process of “working out” the salvation we have already been given; a process that is already fully complete in Jesus.

We claim His promises and He claims us. Now it’s up to us to respond to the claim by submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit whose job it is to take us under His wings and keep us on the right road through all the bumps and potholes:

Rom 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ESV

Yes, the path to verse 29 “must go through” verse 28. And that is where we so often slide into the ditch! But thank God for His spiritual tow truck!