Holiness and the Fear of the Lord

 

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
2 Corinthians 7:1

This is a powerful call to live a life that is pleasing to God, both in our outward behavior and in our inner thoughts and motives.

The Promises of God

Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians of the "promises" that they have as believers in Jesus Christ. These promises include the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are made new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are forgiven of all our sins, and we are given the Holy Spirit to live inside of us and guide us.

The Call to Holiness

In light of these promises, Paul urges the Corinthians to cleanse themselves from everything that can defile them. This means turning away from sin and living a life that is holy and pleasing to God. It also means seeking to be complete in our holiness, both in our bodies and in our spirits.

The Fear of God

Paul's motivation for this call to holiness is the fear of God. This is not a fear of punishment, but a reverential awe and respect for God. When we fear God, we want to live our lives in a way that honors Him. We want to please Him in everything that we do.

How to Live a Holy Life

So how can we live a holy life? Here are a few practical tips:

• Spend time in God's Word. The Bible is our roadmap for living a holy life. When we study the Bible, we learn about God's character and His will for our lives.

• Pray regularly. Prayer is our way of communicating with God and seeking His help. When we pray, we can ask God to help us resist temptation and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

• Fellowship with other believers. When we surround ourselves with other believers, we can encourage and support each other in our walk with Christ. We can also learn from each other and grow in our holiness.

Conclusion

Living a holy life is not easy, but it is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we trust in Jesus Christ and follow His guidance, we can be transformed into His likeness. Let us all strive to live holy lives in response to God's promises and out of reverence for Him.

In summary:

• Because of God's promises, we should cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our bodies or spirits.

• We should work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

• God's promises include the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

• To live a holy life, we should spend time in God's Word, pray regularly, and fellowship with other believers.

• Living a holy life is not easy, but it is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.

                         ***

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