Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

² Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. 

³ I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.”  2 Corinthians 7:1-3.

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Here are motivations for action both for the Corinthians and for us today.  First, we have these promises of God.  Second, we fear God.  Third, Paul loved the Corinthians, and our church leaders love us.  Fourth, we are all “in this” together.  Therefore, having all of these motivations, “beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”  Verse 1. 

These promises of God motivate us.  In just the immediately preceding Scripture, we read:  “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.  “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;  And I will welcome you.  “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.”  2 Corinthians 6:17-18.  More generally, we read:  “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:4

Fear of God motivates us.  “But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.  Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.  “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will warn you whom to fear:  fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Luke 12:2-5.  “Tremble, and do not sin;  Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.”  Psalm 4:4 

The love of our church leaders motivate us.  We often read about sports players doing just about anything for their coach whom they respect and even love.  How much more do our church leaders love us and motivate us!  Paul wrote to the Corinthians:  “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.  …   For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.”  2 Corinthians 2:4 and 9.

The fact that we are all “in this” together motivates us.  Next Thursday, I will be leaving for a hiking trip in which I will hike the Grand Canyon and other areas in Arizona with 7 other guys who all graduated the same year with me in high school.  Because we are all “in this” together, both the preparation and the hike itself, it motivates all of us to complete together these very physically challenging hikes.  How much more does this fact that we are all together in these spiritual trials of life motivate us!  “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”  Hebrews 12:1.