February 27
Read:2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
2 Corinthians 6:14 is a verse often quoted which has been applied to everything from marriage to business partnerships (rightfully so, I believe). The Holy Spirit directs us to avoid an unequal yoke with an unbeliever, then proceeds to give a number of analogies to demonstrate why this is unhealthy or unnatural. Why, He asks, would you mix unrighteousness with righteousness (v. 14), or light with darkness (v. 14), or Christ with Belial (v. 15), or an infidel with a believer (v. 15), or even the temple of God with an idol (v. 16)? He continues that because God dwells in us, we are the temple of God (v. 16).
Given all of these obvious truths, we are to separate ourselves from things unholy or unclean (v. 17). If we do so, God has promised to receive us, to be our Father, and to make us His sons and daughters (v. 17-18). Chapter 7:1 then puts the conclusion on the passage, “Having therefore these promises (v. 17-18 above), dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
The New Testament, in removing us from under the curse and demands of the law, never permits us to slack off in the area of personal holiness. Time and again the New Testament believer is called to strive for the holiness of God. We are given the New Testament as our guide, the Holy Spirit as interpreter, and Jesus Himself as our standard. Moment by moment, day by day, year by year, we are to be conformed to the image of Christ. It is an image not only of a loving Savior but of a holy God. We who are His followers must strive to be like Him in all aspects of His character. To strive to love our neighbor as ourselves, yet to dabble in the sins of the flesh, is to have a unbalanced view of God the Son.
The Bible tells us that Jesus, “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” His holiness was perfect, ours will never be this side of heaven. Yet we must be always aware of our deficiencies and working toward change. Like most of God’s work, there is His part, and there is our part. His part is expressed in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Our part is expressed in 2 Corinthians 7:1, where the Bible says, “...let us cleanse ourselves...”
Today, let’s make an extra effort to be clean and holy, as He is clean and holy.
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
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