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The Daily Word of Righteousness
The Necessity for Overcoming, continued
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (II Corinthians 7:1—NASB)
In the verse above Paul sums up the process of sanctification.
No one could possibly read into this same verse that we are sanctified only by identification with Christ. It is apparent that we, in light of the promise of God that He would receive us if we came out of the world, are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting our own holiness. Of course we cannot purify ourselves by our own will power. We must be cooperating with the Holy Spirit in the program of our personal sanctification.
The idea is that each member of the seven churches of Asia, if he or she would receive the rewards assigned to the members of the Body of Christ, must overcome through Christ the sins and blemishes the Lord names in connection with these churches.
It is as simple and straightforward as this.
Compare the prophesied Church:
Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession? (Song of Solomon 6:10—NIV)
With the churches found on the earth:
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. (Revelation 3:15-18—NIV)
Can you see the difference between the true Bride of the Lamb and the members of the seven golden lampstands, the Christian churches of Asia?
This means the churches of Asia are not the true Church of Christ. The true church is being formed within the churches. The true church is composed of the overcomers.
The overcomers are never addressed as a group, only as individuals.
We are not a member of the true Church, the Body of Christ, by virtue of attending an assembly of Christians, even of fervent Christians. We are not true members of the Body of Christ, and we will not receive the rewards ordinarily associated with being a Christian, except as we overcome the problems Christ has found in the churches.
It is not true, as is commonly taught, that every person is an overcomer on the basis of "making a decision for Christ." If this were the case, the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation would be irrelevant, having no significance whatever. The text would not make any sense! It is no wonder these chapters are not expounded on more often.
The simple fact is, there were many forms of sin and rebellion in the seven churches of Asia. If we overcome these we will receive the rewards to the overcomer. If we do not overcome these we will not receive the rewards to the overcomer.
To be continued.