<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Summary</b><br>Because believers possess God’s promises, Paul urges them to cleanse themselves from every defilement of body and spirit and to pursue holiness in the fear of God. He asks the Corinthians to make room for him in their hearts, affirming that he has wronged no one and acted with integrity. Paul expresses deep affection and confidence in them, declaring that they are in his heart both in life and in death, and that he takes great pride and encouragement in them despite afflictions.<br> <br><b>Teaching</b>:<br>Although we believe in Jesus and have become God’s people and God’s children, we must remain in the process of becoming holy. If we become stagnant or turn back, God grieves. This holiness is lived out while we are in the body: we must keep ourselves from sin in our actions and from sin in our spirit as well—thoughts and behaviors that go against the Holy Spirit—so that we are clean in every way.<br><br>Open your hearts and receive the gospel. When our hearts are narrow, we fail to understand Scripture and cannot grasp the message of preaching. The problem is not with the Bible or with the sermon; the problem lies within us. We must examine ourselves and receive the gospel.<br>Let us live rightly and faithfully this year, walking the straight and proper path.<br><br><i>Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Jan 8, 2026</i><i><br></i><i>2 Corinthians 7:1-4</i></p>
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