Precious Promises
In 2 Corinthians Paul gives us an incredible passage that alludes to many precious promises we have in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 6:16- 7:1
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, as God said,
I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord,
And touch nothing unclean;
Then I will welcome you,
And I will be your father,
And you shall be my sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.
In this one single passage, Paul quotes from the following OT passages.
Leviticus 26
Ezekiel 37
Isaiah 52
2 Samuel 7
Jeremiah 31
And then Paul says, “Since we have these promises.” And the promises are linked to the OT texts he quotes here. If we briefly look over these passages we see the following promises from God to his people.
God will remember his covenant
God will tabernacle among us
God will give us life
God will be our king
God will be our loving father who disciplines us for good but always love us with a steadfast love
God will give us a new covenant in which he will give us his Spirit so we might know him and be obedient to him.
We have many precious promises indeed. And since we do, Paul encourages us to simply cleanse ourselves. The best way for us to do that is through confession. So I’d encourage you to confess your sins today. Below is a confession that might lead you from the Book of Common Prayer. However, remember God’s precious promises today.
Confession from Book of Common Prayer
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden–cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, so that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, all you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30.
Be blessed today and share this with someone who might be in need of God’s precious promises.
