i was sitting at my desk and reading the word of God from my e-Sword. I continue my reading to 2 Chorin 7. Before that, i ask God, "God tell me what to do now. Teach me from Your word and reveal to me. Speak to me." as I read this chapter, i slowly begin to understand what exactly this Paul letter to me. My situation currently, i am in the midst of retreating from my ministry and seeking God for guidance. I can't just sit, and cry or sad in my retreat, but i choose to seek God and away from ministry focus.
2 Co 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. (ESV)
Paul wrote this and strongly advice the people to focus on their life and spirit. What is the body here mean for you? is it, to cleanse dirtiness from our body like mud, scars (hardly to cleanse i guess), or tattoo? Well, i believe Paul referring this to our attitude!
Body = Attitude
In my ministry, i am one of the selfish person (Probably and i can't say im the most one, due to i don't want to condemn myself too much). I receive that from some of my friends and youth complaining about me and my beloved close friend did advise me many time. But, most of the time i try to change using my own strength, movie example i follow, actors' lifestyle, and artists. We are most of the time influence by this, especially those we look up, respect and acknowledge. But, i fail! i hurt people every time, i spoil the situation, i make people surround me effected by my madness and selfishness. People begin to complain about me.. I can't, hardly i can't.
But, this is Paul advice. Cleanse us (ISV) meaning to be cleaned (obviously) and none of this "dirt" seen on our "body". Defilement (ESV) meaning from our "file" or our life attitude where we always kept our attitude and behavior, throw it away! Defile them! Don't keep them! "Menyucikan" (ITB) bererti, menjadi kudus, tiada cacat cela, tiada kekotoran dan semuanya tidak nampak lagi pada jasmani kita atau hidup kita! And in KJV, "Cleanse us from all filthiness (in Cambridge Dictionary mean the quality of being very dirty)" meaning..ALL jerk, dirt, and unintended behavior, attitude, thinking, lifestyle and action/reaction! Take it away, ALL of it!
That's it! That's the key! We have all the promises, (Since we have these promises..." that's how it should be! Change! Throw it all away! That's what God want to speak to me as i pray and i pray before i read this. And i believe this is not only for me, but also for all of us! God can't give us the promise and allow us to His kingdom if we still have this and not throwing it away. People says, God is Grace so don't pressure yourself too much on this. Yes, God is Grace. And His grace is now, to all of us to change, to throw those dirt and jerks. And He said, none of this liars, cheaters, adulterers and etc will enter my Kingdom. Ever since now we have that Grace, yeah don't pressure when you can't throw it away. He is grace and always waiting for us to change, and while we have time on earth, He always give us chance to change! That's why after we correct our Body or Attitude, than it come Spirit!
Secondly from this verse, Spirit also mean our unity with God. When we are with God, our spirit is one with God and His spirit is in us. When God's spirit is in us, how could we let the dirt and jerks in our spirit. Those dirt and jerks spiritually mean that, everything that we have in us, that effecting His Spirit and His will. Effecting His doing in us, that all should be thrown away. In 2 Co 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. That's why we can't let our spirit in dirt and cleanse!
Body or attitude important because it will affect people around us and cause people around us probably stumble or run away from God. And when our attitude is not right, meaning our Spirit is not right too. Our spirit is full or struggle and not in-line with God's or not unite with God's spirit. Our Spirit need to be cleanse and transform because, only our spirit will enter the kingdom of God. And to enter Kingdom of God, none of this filthiness should attach with us.
so.. Thats what i am now :) i am sad, i am down..but i believe as what Paul write, 2 Co 7:10 For having sorrow in a godly way results in repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets. But the sorrow of the world produces death(ISV)..and now, im in Godly grief and sorrow. Totally sad..but i believe this is what God want from me. He want me to take a step and change, but some of the thing i need to let go. Some of the things i need to throw, so that He can use me.
I am sad when people say like that, when people behave like that, and when people treating me like that. But I accept this for this is from God and He want to show what right and wrong in me; so that i can change and throw what is not right. And my spirit have to be united with Him. though how long you had been Christian, doesn't mean that your spirit is correct or attitude is correct. We need to daily check and refer to our manufacturer. We need to align all those alignment, adjust our steering or wheels or lights or our exhaust. Than we are driven by Him and we are always perfect by Him. Live in Spirit, and let be filled with Spirit. Lead by Spirit.
2 Co 3:8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? :) Change what need to be change!
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