The Best Angle

 It's not always about marriage or business partners I realized just yesterday when reading 2 Corinthians 6 and 7.  When you plot the verses together such as 6:14; 7:1, 9 and 10, another angle is revealed.

So, first there's the, 

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers...what do righteousness and wickedness have in common..." (2 Corinthians 6:14).

This is the one we mostly quote to our children in regards to marriage partners and truly it is a good and needful application.  A believer in Christ needs to have a spouse who is also devoted to the Lord and walking in His ways.  There are plenty of other Bible verses and principles to corroborate this.  Hopefully then, the backbone of a marriage is founded on God's Word and lived in greater harmony because of it.  Enough said in this regard.

More on the 2 Corinthians 7:1.  The thoughts from chapter 6 are carried over, about our temples of the Holy Spirit being pure because this is what sons and daughters of God need to be.

"...let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV).

"Everything that contaminates" is not just an unsaved partner with their worldly ways and foundational thinking and perspectives, as respectable as they may be.  As believers in Jesus Christ, we still have that sinful nature which lusts for things that do not please the Lord and that we need to guard against.  When we yield to temptations such as those the Apostle Paul listed,

"...sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft,; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like..." (Galations 5:19-21 NIV).

Maybe we don't go to such extremes but there are likely one or two on that list, which tempt us and to perhaps, which we succumb.  Or, perhaps even read or view these things in movies, videos, or books and so on.  Somewhere, somehow, we get ourselves "contaminated".  We need to actively purify ourselves and practice perfecting holiness.

The motivating force for followers of Jesus Christ is as 2 Corinthians 7;1 states,

"...out of reverence for God."

Paul wanted to make the Corinthian believers sorrowful.  That sounds mean but he had good intentions for them in so doing.  He called it, "godly sorrow," and told them that this is what God intended.

Why?

So that they could perfect their holiness.

So they could repent of wrongs, confess them, gaining forgiveness from Jesus and yes, purification (1 John 1:9).

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV),

Paul wrote.  He added that it produced many good things such as,

"...eagerness to clear themselves ... readiness to see justice done ..." (2 Corinthians 7:11 NIV).

The whole world learned about "purifying" and "keeping themselves pure" (or sanitized) during the COVID-19 pandemic that lasted about 2 years.  We all can probably recite the litany in our sleep:

"sanitize; wear masks; keep socially distanced; wash your hands for 20 seconds at time; stay home; vaccinate..."

Rigorous religious ritual to stay healthy and well and avoid contamination of ourselves and of others.

When we apply this sort of 'ritual" to our spiritual lives as believers in Jesus Christ, we will "purify ourselves" and "perfect holiness".  All this, not in leagalistic mindset but rather, "out of reverence for God."

Let us Christ-followers stop practices that contaminate our spirit; let us repent and confess them to the Lord and others as needed; let us live our lives being led by the Holy Spirit instead.  Let us not mar our testimony for the Lord nor bring ill-repute upon God and His family.

So, can you all see further implication and application of the 2 Corinthian 6:14 verse of being unequally yoked together and how our associations can lead to conflict between the righteousness of God in us and the wickedness of worldly living imbibed from associations with those who do not love the Lord their God with all their hearts, minds, souls, strength and do not have faith in Christ?  No doubt it's obvious and we may even "KNOW" it within ourselves.

As Paul exhorted the Corinthians, may godly sorrow bring each of us to repentance and let us eagerly clear ourselves of ungodly living.  In so doing, purify ourselves from all contamination.  Let's do it in Jesus' name for the glory of God out of reverence for Him.

This is the best angle to take.

                                                  ~ERC  October 2022~

Based on 2 Corinthians 6:14; 7:1, 9, 10; 1 John 1:9 NIV>

Sing, Purify My Heart, along with Jeremy Riddle (Worship Lyrics).