“Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Welcome back dear student, last week we saw how we are joint heirs with Jesus. This happened because of the the New Covenant which God made with man, sealed in the sinless blood of His Son. This relationship with God comes through accepting that Jesus Christ is Lord; repenting of and turning from sin to follow Jesus, believing that He died to pay for our sins and that God raised Him from the dead, allowing us to be reconciled to God as His beloved children. It requires us to leave behind the old way of life – lying, stealing, cheating, gossiping, hating, hurting, pride, immorality - to name just a few (Galatians 2:20). In turning to God for Salvation through Christ we become ‘new creations in Christ’ - that is, washed and clean from sin, given a new identity as His children, filled with His Spirit, reconnected to God (2 Corinthians 5). This is the Good News (the Gospel). Not one of us could ever make ourselves righteous – it is a free gift from God. Understanding that our Salvation is not based on good works brings freedom from the religious, perfectionist spirit. The enemy uses those things to bog people down in condemnation and ritual works of service - trying to please God. The Lord calls our self-righteous acts ‘filthy rags’ (Isaiah 64:6). Yes, we are to do good and live right - out of love: not out of wanting brownie points from God or others. Prideful flesh loves attention on its sacrifices. Humility just gets on with it whether anyone notices or not, knowing that ultimately God sees and knows everything (Matthew 6:1-18).
There is only One way to right-standing with God and that is Righteousness from the sinless Blood shed by Jesus, the Lamb of God. But there are many ways to defilement. Shops are now stocked with lovely earthy coloured decorations for Autumn, but alongside these are decorations for Halloween. It’s amazing how easy it has been to subtly plant in people’s minds that these things that exalt evil and darkness are harmless décor to seasonally embellish a home. Folks figure that they’re just the same as Christmas decorations - a nice thing to light up the dark winter. That’s not true friend - please, don’t fall for it. For these Halloween decorations are accursed things – they defile and separate one from God. “And you must not bring any detestable thing into your house, or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. You are to utterly detest and abhor it, because it is set apart for destruction” (Deuteronomy 7:26).  There are all kinds of evil and tragic things happening, and people blame God - asking why He would let bad things like this happen to them? But they’re accusing the wrong Person. The enemy comes to steal, to kill and to destroy, he’s a murderer, a thief and a robber, a liar and evil (John 10:10; John 8:44). He seeks attention for himself while using deception. Halloween has been embedded into culture now as just another holiday – even integrated into the school curriculum as a fun activity for this time of year, taking equal place with creation’s change of season. These things open the door for Satan to enter and defile, bringing chaos, death, torment, and dysfunction. Objects that promote false gods or evil give the enemy a landing strip – like when an airplane locks on the airfield lights to land. Decorating homes with witchcraft items or things symbolising paganism are welcoming darkness, and bring curse, not blessing. Search this out for yourself friend and reject it.