Part II: Cleansing Work

As we discussed in the previous post (Part I: God Cleanses Us) - THE WORK, (of salvation) is completed, no one can add or supplement the work of Christ with their own filthy rags and be saved.  But this does not mean that our work is done, and it does not mean that God does all the work in our lives with or without our active involvement.

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6

The continued work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, also known as sanctification, is a continuous work that will not end until we are taken up into heaven and receive our new clothes.  God is working within us to sanctify us in order to use us for His purposes.  He is working in us to will and to work (sometimes in spite of ourselves) according to His purpose.  (Philippians 2:13) We cannot cleanse ourselves independently from the power of God. 

But God also gives us freedom to disobey, to attempt to thwart His will (see Jonah).  He gives us control over our minds, hearts, and actions.  

If we fight Him or disobey then there are consequences and discipline that result.  When we obey and submit and trust Him there are blessings that come from above.  It's not a one for one transactional relationship, where if you do this thing this other thing will happen.  

It is an intimate, heart-based relationship where we are naked before our Holy Creator and yet He cares for us.  It is beyond our understanding in many ways. 

And God wants us to be faithful with what He has given us domain over - our bodies, our minds, our thoughts.  This is why the greatest commandment addresses those areas:

"And he answered, 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'" - Luke 10:27

This means there are two domains we have been given responsibility over:

1. Our hearts, minds, soul,strength
2. How we treat others

We see these two domains in James 1:27:

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." - James 1:27

Notice the wording "to keep oneself unstained by the world",  it's an imperative statement implying our personal responsibility.  God gives us a command to pursue holiness! "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1 Peter 1:16)

Let's summarize:

1. The work of Christ alone saves us and cleanses us from sin
2. The work of the Spirit is to progressively sanctify us for God's purposes
3. We are commanded to pursue holiness in our hearts, minds, souls, and actions

How? - see part III