God calls us to abide in His Word, to love His word, to be constantly nourished on the words of our faith, and to converse with true believers as the Word of Christ dwells in us richly. Before we turn to our summer passage one last time, let us consider our need for sound doctrine, and understanding:
We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the True God, and eternal Life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
1 John 5:20-21
3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 1 Timothy 6:3-4
Sound Doctrine does not divide believers into different denominations; rather, God’s Word and sound doctrine unite His people, and oftentimes other teachings come in and cause division.
Syncretism disintegrates our fellowship, and wedges us away from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ and abiding in His Word. From this passage in 1 John (above) we cannot but rejoice that He is at work in our minds, not only teaching but also giving us understanding. He heals our minds, unites our inner man to know and delight in the truth, and to readily live by it. We embrace the doctrine conforming to godliness! The Doctrine which God intends to use in us, the doubled edged Sword of the Spirit, as He conforms us to the image of His Son.
And now we once again read the summer passage; read it in true meditative fashion–slowly, attentively, pondering words, rehearsing lines over and over, letting His Word be your focus. (If you haven’t read this series, you may want to at least see how we began, here.)
6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.
7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Therefore…let us
God has begun His good work in us, He has raised us up to new life in Christ. God has, according to Titus 3, “by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit…” made us alive, given us eternal life, and given us understanding that we may know Him!
In this charge given in 7:1, Paul is addressing those who are already alive in Christ. To disciples Jesus says “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken…abide in My word…” (see John 15). When we were dead in our sins, we were enemies of God, at war with Him, and unable to submit to the Law of God. Our wills were enslaved, we could not free ourselves (see John 8 among others). We could not direct our will or desires away from that which our sinful flesh desired and became entangled by, subject to, enslaved by. In the renewal of the Holy Spirit, we were freed! And it was for freedom that Christ set us free! (see Galatians 5, and here)
In that freedom, (“the freedom of the glory of the children of God,” Romans 8) with renewed, lively, godly desires, we hear this call to obedience in 2 Corinthians 7:1. We do not hear and cringe, we hear–and like children who know they are loved and treasured we cry out “Yes, Father!” And we walk with Him.
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Then what….?
We hear this good word, to “perfect holiness” but how do we proceed? And beloved, we are always responding to this call, always proceeding. Journal through these ideas and verses, asking the Holy Spirit to teach you:
We acknowledge that He has cleansed us: John 15:3-5; Ephesians 5:25b-27; Hebrews 9:10-10:10; 2 Peter 1:8-9
We rest in His unfailing love, that can never be increased or diminished.
We listen to Him in His Word, as He has spoken, and we abide in His Words. The Spirit grants us understanding and grows us in our knowledge, and in conformity to Christ. Look to Him who is Holy, Holy, Holy.
We follow the Spirit’s leading to put to death the deeds of the body…Romans 8
(Where else to you see this “Put on, put off” language in the NT?)
He is at work in our whole being–so not in word only, nor in deed only. Never some false dichotomy (no Kantian dualism). But with our whole heart and body and soul, “Perfect holiness” involves loving and knowing and serving and clinging to our Triune God.
If we have been raised up with Christ, we keep seeking the things above, where He is seated! (Colossians 3). When is the last time you pondered His reign, His Kingdom, His promises concerning your future and hope? When is the last time you considered His posture towards His people–His compassion, gentleness, kindness, stability, power, wisdom, justice, holiness?
Each day is an opportunity to walk by faith and repentance, to press on to know Him more (Philippians 3) and to be empowered by the Spirit to abide in the love of God and steadfastness of Christ (Colossians 1; 2 Thessalonians 3). Seek out the ordinary means of grace (the ancient paths), fellowship truly in your local Body of believers–using your gifts to serve, and allowing others to serve you with their gifts and callings; accept correction and encouragement, and likewise encourage others in their faith.
“To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ…” 2 Peter 1
Curious about these “ordinary means”? More on that in our Fall Series, beginning soon!
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash