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.
2: Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

The verses preceding this says as we separate ourselves from unbelievers that God will receive us.  He will be a Father to us and we will be His sons and daughters.   Because of these great promises, we need to cleanse ourselves from evil things to perfect or complete holiness in our lives.

He asks them to "receive us" and goes on to discuss that even though in his last letter he made them sorry (because of the correction he had to give concerning the one involved in sin among them), he is glad now because they have repented and have proved themselves to be clear concerning this matter (verse 11).

They took a stand against sin, even if it was difficult and that holiness brings us closer to the Lord.  As we cleanse ourselves from those things that are corrupt in God’s sight and don’t participate in or condone them, then we will see the presence of God in our midst in a greater way.

This isn’t to say that we earn our right-standing with Him by doing good works, for we don’t.  We only receive that through the blood of Jesus, but the more we separate from evil the more fellowship we can have with our Heavenly Father.

Confession: