Authority to Cleanse Ourselves

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.  (2Co 7:1)

There are sins that we humbly ask for forgiveness and cleansing and by faith comes the experience of freedom (1 John 1:9). And yet there are sins that we have to discover victory for ourselves. It is not that God is not able to but we have to know for ourselves that we want to forsake the sinful past for the life of Christ (Rom 6:11). Not just letting go of sin, but dead to that. Having the faculty with the propensity to sin dead, what can stir it up again (Rom 6:6)?

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.  (1 John 3:3)

Are not ‘these promises’ that we shall be His people, we will be received by Him and we shall be His sons and daughters (2 Cor 6:16-18)? The one who made them is the Lord Almighty (vs. 18) and will He not together with ‘these promises’ give us the power to cleanse ourselves, executing and completing holiness in the fear of God. As long as we carry a secret desire for that thing that doesn’t please God, we will continue to be slaves of sin. That power to cleanse ourselves freely avails to us, it is up to us to take the step of faith and experience what it means to live the gift of eternal life on this side of heaven.