January 22, 2024 PERFECTING HOLINESS
2 Corinthians 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
The Holy Spirit in us is the power and the presence of God. An important truth that we must not miss is that we have a part to play in living out the gospel; we must work with Him as He works in us. God does not desire a family of robots; He desires a people who have their hearts turned to Him, a people who respond to His drawing and His invitation to come to Him, and because He is holy, He desires a holy people. The Holy Spirit is always drawing us to the Father and He is always desiring that we live in a way that is pleasing to God-and He is equipping and empowering us to do just that. In simple terms, this verse is telling us to discard anything about our life that is unlike God. We are instructed to cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit. If we are doing things in the flesh that are ungodly, we must lay those things aside. We can also have a spirit about us that is not pleasing to the Lord-such as being impatient, angry, ill-tempered, lazy, and etc. If we are sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, He will bring to our attention anything contrary to the ways of God. God may also use other people and circumstances to show us certain aspects about us that we need to lay aside. The Holy Spirit is not about condemning us, and neither should we condemn ourselves. The Spirit shows us, draws us, and empowers us to live in a way pleasing to the Lord. There will be times that we need to make adjustments in our lives-laying aside what we need to, and putting on what is like God. We are not yet fully perfected; but we are to be about perfecting holiness-about living as children of a holy God. It is a reality check; instead of waiting for God to zap us into holiness, we are to be about cleansing ourselves! Of course, we can cleanse ourselves only because the Spirt enables us to do so. We are to be cleansing ourselves ‘in the fear of God.’ Yes, we should have a fear of God-but a healthy fear of God. After all, we are accountable for how we live as His sons and daughters. Because God loves us and cares for us, and has given us great promises, let it be our deepest hearts desire to live according to His ways. Amazingly, He enables us, who live in flesh and bone, to live holy lives, pleasing to Him in all we do.
1 Peter 1:14-16 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lust which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.”’
1 John 4:17 By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgement; because as He is, so also are we in this world.”
Blessings, Buddy
2 Corinthians 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
The Holy Spirit in us is the power and the presence of God. An important truth that we must not miss is that we have a part to play in living out the gospel; we must work with Him as He works in us. God does not desire a family of robots; He desires a people who have their hearts turned to Him, a people who respond to His drawing and His invitation to come to Him, and because He is holy, He desires a holy people. The Holy Spirit is always drawing us to the Father and He is always desiring that we live in a way that is pleasing to God-and He is equipping and empowering us to do just that. In simple terms, this verse is telling us to discard anything about our life that is unlike God. We are instructed to cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit. If we are doing things in the flesh that are ungodly, we must lay those things aside. We can also have a spirit about us that is not pleasing to the Lord-such as being impatient, angry, ill-tempered, lazy, and etc. If we are sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, He will bring to our attention anything contrary to the ways of God. God may also use other people and circumstances to show us certain aspects about us that we need to lay aside. The Holy Spirit is not about condemning us, and neither should we condemn ourselves. The Spirit shows us, draws us, and empowers us to live in a way pleasing to the Lord. There will be times that we need to make adjustments in our lives-laying aside what we need to, and putting on what is like God. We are not yet fully perfected; but we are to be about perfecting holiness-about living as children of a holy God. It is a reality check; instead of waiting for God to zap us into holiness, we are to be about cleansing ourselves! Of course, we can cleanse ourselves only because the Spirt enables us to do so. We are to be cleansing ourselves ‘in the fear of God.’ Yes, we should have a fear of God-but a healthy fear of God. After all, we are accountable for how we live as His sons and daughters. Because God loves us and cares for us, and has given us great promises, let it be our deepest hearts desire to live according to His ways. Amazingly, He enables us, who live in flesh and bone, to live holy lives, pleasing to Him in all we do.
1 Peter 1:14-16 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lust which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.”’
1 John 4:17 By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgement; because as He is, so also are we in this world.”
Blessings, Buddy
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