February 21, 2023
“I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16
Paul was quoting from the Law and the Prophets (Leviticus and Ezekiel) as he sought to help the Corinthians understand their need to grow in Christ. Many had gladly believed in His sacrificial death in their place, yet they were not so ready to allow their lives to be molded by His indwelling Spirit. Paul reminded them that [Jesus] died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again (5:15). Paul, along with his companions, though subjected to many sufferings, were more concerned for the Corinthians than for themselves. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections (6:12) which rendered them just as the unbelievers by whom they were surrounded. Paul continued his quotes from the Prophets, this time from Isaiah and Samuel:
Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” 6:17-18
The filtering effect of God’s ‘clean-up crew’ (the scavenger class of animals) in the world is both literal and symbolic. While we certainly should not desire to consume the concentrated collections of filtered toxins held within the flesh of scavengers, we must also cultivate an awareness of cultural, unbiblical norms that have filtered down through the ages, as illustrated by the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (see chapter 2 of Daniel). The godless philosophies of the head of gold (Babylon) trickled down into the chest and arms of silver (Medo-Persia). From there, the combination of philosophies were absorbed into the hips and thighs of bronze (Greece), and then passed on to the legs of iron (Rome) and directly into the feet of iron mingled with clay (Western Europe). Each new kingdom saw itself as an improvement over the one before, but in actuality, each successive kingdom became more brutal and less refined. We can see this in today’s news to some degree, but the spiritual brutality instigated by Satan is not always so easily seen. In addition, worldly practices and philosophies have a powerful blinding effect toward the greatness of the promises of God. Ask Him today to fine-tune your spiritual acumen in order to heighten your perception of the magnificent, magnanimous, and altogether glorious promises given to us by the Great Giver Himself.
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1