Charlyne Cares Daily Devotional - Helping Stop Divorce God's Way

Purify Ourselves

It seems like every day the media shines their light on sinful traits of prominent people. Many stand before podiums to deny or defend their actions. In truth, this is a mere fraction of the number of people in this sinful world who are doing the exact same things. The only difference is that the faults of most have not been made public--yet.

"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." 2 Corinthians 7:1

Paul, the writer of 1 and 2 Corinthians makes it very clear that one cannot claim God's gracious promises listed below without living a life of separation and holiness. May you and I strive for that each and every day of our lives. Don't use excuses for your sinful habits, but ask the Lord to change your heart to be more like Him each day of your life.

"What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughter, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Many Christians say they feel like they have lost their Christian joy (John 15:11), divine protection (John 17:12,14-15), answers to prayers (John 15:7,16) and the sense of God's fatherly presence (John 14:21,23). Why? We cannot compromise with the world, live on the fence and not expect to lose God's presence and promises.

Your spouse may be trying to live on both sides of the fence. They cannot. God's Word calls sin just that-sin. There are consequences to sin. That is why you and thousands of others are praying for your spouses and loved ones to come to their senses and escape from the temptation and trap of the enemy. (2 Timothy 2:26) Each of us needs to pray that all prodigals will have godly sorrow, repenting of what they have done or are doing. They need to turn 180 degrees around toward their Heavenly Father, asking for forgiveness and not go back to the pigpen of their lifestyle.

Think about Luke 15 regarding the Prodigal Son and how he repented to his father. Pray for your spouse to have their heart touched by the Holy Spirit with genuine sorrow for sin which leads to repentance. That person will have a change of heart that causes them to turn from sin to God. This type of repentance leads to salvation. (Ezekiel 36:25-27)

The person who is only sorry for the consequences of their sin, but is not wanting or willing to change does not have godly sorrow but worldly sorrow. That kind of sorrow results in eternal death and judgment.

"...But because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done." 2 Corinthians 7:9-11

May you and I pray every day that all prodigals around the world will humble themselves and purify themselves of all unrighteousness. We need to walk on the narrow road and be more like our Lord every day.

God bless,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
Post Office Box 10548
Pompano Beach, FL 33061 USA
http://rejoiceministries.org  (Ministry web site)
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Devotional Copyright© 2010 Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.

Scripture quoted by permission and are from the Holy Bible; New International Version® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.