TWO TRUTHS WE MUST EMBRACE
God, through Paul, pinpointed two major issues in one statement.
#1 The issue of Christians cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh (the instantaneous result of receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit).
#2 The issue of purified believers perfecting holiness in their own lives (the result of the progressive and ongoing transformation in the lives of the entirely sanctified).
2 Corinthians 7:1
(1) 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.
Concerning #1
There is a cleansing from all sin, which is obtainable to the Christian who hungers and thirsts after righteousness, who makes total surrender to God and who believes that God saves them from ALL SIN. While all Christians are forgiven of all the sins they have committed, and they are cleansed from the pollution (fruit) of a sinful life, the sinful nature (root) remains in them and they need to be cleansed from all sin. This is part of the provision of the atonement and is available to believers who trust God for complete deliverance from all sin.
Concerning #2
Every believer brings the baggage and history of his past into his new life with Christ. Our SINS (our evil words, thoughts and deeds) are forgiven at the time of our justification, and our SIN (the carnal mind, the double mind, the evil heart of unbelief etc.) is removed at the time of our entire sanctification. However there are infirmities, weaknesses, frailties that are not inherently sinful, yet they hinder our growth in grace and knowledge and service to God. God will lead and deliver the faithful follower into victory over these areas, IF the believer remains humble and submissive to the leading and perfecting work of God.
SADLY there are believers who do not come to the knowledge of God's purifying grace, and there are sanctified believers who are just waiting rather than perfecting holiness in every area of their lives.
Pastoral care (shepherding) is God's way of leading believers into total victory (as singles, marrieds, parents, leaders, followers, witnesses, providers, etc.) through preaching and teaching the whole counsel of God. The Holy Spirit leads the whole man into the whole counsel of God through the whole truth of the Bible.
DON'T STOP SHORT OF GOD'S CALL AND PROVISION.
