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).
This is a day to cleanse ourselves. To be the salt and the light we’re called to be, we must look and act different than the world. In Exodus 33 Moses told the Lord that it was His presence that made the Israelites different from the heathen nations surrounding them. In Acts 4 people notice that Peter and John had been with Jesus. They acted differently than their cultural norm.
You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless (Matthew 5:13-NLT). Salt is a purifying agent, a preserving agent, and a taste enhancing agent. If salt loses these properties isn’t much good for any purpose. As we walk in holiness, refusing the lusts that dominate our world today, we change the atmosphere wherever we go, bringing purity, keeping the world from being completely corrupt. Believers should enhance the quality of life in whatever culture they live in all over the world!
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:14-16-NLT). Light provides life. Without the light of the sun we light could not exist on earth. Darkness produces death. Darkness recedes when light appears. The Greater One is in you! That light within us is no brighter than the holiness that we walk in. The people around us walking in darkness need to see the light we are to be showing!
Our power is in our purity and holiness. We lose our power when we compromise. And our world desperately needs to see the light and experience the salt of godliness!
I’m reminded of Smith Wigglesworth, who walked with the Father so closely that when he sat on a train with others, conviction would permeate them. His consecration to holiness produced tangible power that affected people when they were in his presence!
The verse at the beginning of this article says that we should cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. We must choose to be different by the grace of God. Examine your life today. Are you walking in purity before the Lord both mentally and physically? Have you compromised the holiness of God by participating in the lusts of our culture? Do you turn away from sexually suggestive images of any kind? Do you choose to walk in integrity and refuse the spirit of lying so pervasive today? Do you turn away from the ungodly chatter around you?
Cleansing ourselves is an on purpose commitment to walk with Jesus without compromise. And when we slip up and compromise, we repent right away! Confess your sins to God and ask Him to work His holiness and purity into the fabric of your life today.
Wash yourself daily with the water of the Word to keep the impurities out. Take time to read the Word and pray to begin your day. Guard your eyes, your ears, and your thoughts. Keep your fellowship intimate by spending time alone with the Father every day. Remember, you become like the people you hang around! Be a bearer of the Presence!
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14-NLT).