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Great and precious promises.
#1.
An incentive to holiness.
pp. 21 - 24
When we were dealing with various aspects of sanctification in an earlier series, we
had occasion to refer to II Cor. 7: 1, our special point at the time being the "perfecting"
of holiness that is there enjoined. It is evident that in pursuing one line of doctrine many
other helpful and interesting parts of the truth must necessarily be passed by without
comment. We now therefore return to this same verse, to commence another series of
short articles, this time meditating rather upon the place that "promises" occupy in our
growth in grace:--
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (II Cor. 7: 1).
The exhortation to "perfect holiness" does not stand alone; behind it is a priceless
possession:--
"Having . . . . . let us."
These words set before the reader God's order of presentation, an order which recurs
in other parts of Scripture, and particularly in Heb. 4: and 10::--
"Seeing then that WE HAVE a great High Priest, that is passed through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, LET US hold fast our profession" (Heb. 4: 14).
"For WE HAVE . . . . . an High Priest . . . . . Who was tempted like as we are . . . . .
LET US therefore come boldly to the throne of grace" (Heb. 4: 15, 16).
"HAVING therefore, brethren, boldness . . . . . and HAVING an High Priest over the
house of God; LET US draw near with a true heart . . . . . LET US hold fast the
profession of our hope . . . . . LET US consider one another" (Heb. 10: 19-24).
Such is the only true basis and sequence of exhortation; to reverse the order would be
spiritually fatal.
We propose, therefore, to consider the promises that form the basis of this true
exhortation, and we commence with the passage already referred to, II Cor. 7: 1.
The promises referred to here are those quoted in II Cor. 6: 16-18:--
"For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and
walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out
from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing:
and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."