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2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
In 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 the Apostle Paul pleads with the Corinthians to be open in heart, which is simply to be honest and sincere in their words and actions as Christians – to live a life that is reflective of Jesus. As he continues in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 he instructs the congregation of the church at Corinth to not walk in the same paths as that of unbelievers. These two pathways (that of the Christian, and that of the unbeliever) are two different pathways that do not lead to the same place; one leads to eternal life in heaven, and the other leads to eternal condemnation in hell. As Christians, Paul declares, “For you are the temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 6:16b, NKJV), and he goes on to quote Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27; Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34, 41; and 2 Samuel 7:14 declaring that God’s people should separate themselves from that which is unclean and He will dwell within His people and be their God. Paul then ends this passage in 2 Corinthians 7:1 stating, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
This is a command to separate our lives/pathways as Christians from the ways of this world.
This may seem odd to some of you that Paul quotes Scripture that God gave to Moses pertaining to the instructions for the Israelites in their being separated as God’s chosen people. But the truth is, that during the exodus from the Egyptian captivity, God gave instructions for the Passover feast that included the “foreigners” that were amongst the Israelites and had accepted following the ways of God. In Exodus 12:48-49 God instructs Moses and Aaron, “And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you.” We too should separate ourselves as Christians from the ways of this world and walk in the path that God has prepared for us. But we do not walk under the Law as did the Israelites as they were awaiting the coming of a Savior; we have received the Savior Jesus and He lives within our hearts through His Holy Spirit – we are the recipients of what the Israelites only hoped for, yet it is through believing that we all are saved – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
The example of the Israelites separating themselves from the people living in the ways of this world is the reality that we face today living as Christians in salvation through Jesus Christ. We too should separate ourselves from the people living in the ways of this world and live lives in sincere dedication to You for saving us from sin. Thank You LORD for all that You have done and are continuing to do for us through our Savior Christ Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.