It's A Constant Battle

          "Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." 2 Corinthians 7:1

            This verse is really powerful. First of all, it's not exactly one of those feel-good, really encouraging types of verse. It's a command verse. Paul is telling the church he is writing to that now that they have confessed their sins and excepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are to put away everything that they used do that was not pleasing to God. Notice that Paul never, not even later in the passage, says that this task is going to be easy. Cause it's not supposed to be. If being a follower of Christ was just as easy, or extremely similar to being a non-believer, there would be no point in being a Christian. This process that we call "sanctification" is a constant battle that Christ gives us the grace and strength to fight. If you're following God with all your heart, you've probably noticed how hard it can be when you're confronted with different temptations, especially sins that you used to preform regularly, before you got saved. Well, if you're finding it a struggle, you're doing things right:) Following Christ is never easy. We're constantly having to say no to things. But, like I said in an earlier post about yielding ourselves to God and His will, the battle is well worth it. Living as an unbeliever may be fun for the time being, but is there a lasting reward? Are you benefiting anything or anyone but yourself? Paul says that we have to "run the race" with diligence and patience. There is a goal, an eternal goal. And, when we finally get to heaven, holiness will finally be perfected!!! What an awesome thought! This "purifying of ourselves" doesn't happen on it's own, though. In order to move forward in the sanctification process, we have to constantly be in God's Word and prayer. There are Sunday Christians, and there are REAL Christians. This might sound harsh, but it's the truth. You can't just give God a couple of hours once a week and expect miracles. I have been learning this truth lately. I go to church on Wednesday and Sunday, and I do my devotions every morning, but I'm realizing that God wants more than that. He wants all of me. All of my attention and devotion. Does this mean that I can't do anything else except read the Bible and pray all day? No. But, if I'm in the Word enough, and have time with God first thing everyday, all my actions and thoughts will be filtered through what He's been teaching me. This really goes into a whole new topic, though. Abiding in Christ. I'll save that for another day:) The bottom line is that Paul isn't asking us to purify ourselves of unclean things ON OUR OWN. It's only by the grace of God that we can ever do things that are good in His eyes. Also, we are commanded to live pure and blameless in the sight of God, not just on Sundays and in front of strangers, but EVERYWHERE and ALWAYS.