DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HONORING THE FAMILY NAME

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – HONORING THE FAMILY NAME

"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse our lives from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (II Corinthians 7:1)

One of the principles of interpretation of the Scriptures is context. I learned early that when I see the word, "therefore," I need to consider what "therefore" is "there for." "Therefore" is a connecting word that completes the previous thought. Remember that the division into chapters was done to organize the Scriptures, and is not a part of the original text. Chapter 7:1 completes the thought of Chapter 6.

The apostle had just written, " 'Come out from among them and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty' " Here, the Apostle used an Old Testament promise to Israel found in Jeremiah 31:1 and applied it to Christians. The principle is valid for both Israel and believers in the Lord Jesus.

Israel was appointed by God to be "a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy 14:2;  Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 7:6). Israel was to separate themselves to God from other nations and not intermarry with the pagan nations.

The Apostle Peter picked up on this theme when he wrote to Believers, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (I Peter 2:9).

The promise is that God would be a father to us, and we would be His sons and daughters. I remember well from my past the father who told his children, "You bear the family name. Do not bring reproach on the family name." As children of God, we are called by His name. What a wonderful promise that we should be called the sons of God (I John 3:1).

As His children, we should strive to never bring shame or reproach to the Father or His family by cleansing our flesh and spirits to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. May it be so in my life.

Love, Dad