“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV).
The first lie that humankind listened to in the garden: “Did God really say…” A spiritual sleep can come over us when we begin to doubt the authority of God’s word or the intent behind clearly defined boundaries in scripture.
“Did God really say…”
“Yes, he did.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 is a good scripture to tuck away for that moment of decision. God’s word is our sword and it demolishes everything that sets itself up against the righteousness of Christ in the believer’s heart.
Walking it out
What defilement is the apostle Paul talking about? He lays out many things related to defilement in the proceeding chapter, in verses 14-18.
“What agreement has the temple of God with the temple of idols?”
It is not enough to refuse to worship the “gods” of this world. We are called not to befriend those practices, yoke ourselves to idols (actual or figurative), or make room for them in any capacity within our lives. While temples devoted to deities still exist, idolatry can come in many forms (including greed, Colossians 3:5). Anything that takes the heart of a believer captive, sets itself up against Christ, or seeks to abuse the grace of God as a license for sin, is idolatry.
Here, my heart aches with urgency for the children of God. Believers, let’s get rid of the practices that don’t bring lasting peace- or are spiritually dangerous!
What is the ask?
“Therefore go out from their midst and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing, then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17 (ESV).
Because the Lord has promised us that he himself will be our father, that those who believe upon Jesus Christ shall be his children- let’s throw off EVERYTHING that sets itself up against Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). To walk in holiness is to walk in the grace of Christ, knowing that his righteousness covers his saints until the day of redemption. Until this “tent” of the body is set aside, let us make every effort to follow him and his leadership, as a sheep harkening to the voice of its shepherd.
In this place of grace, I recognize that I am not my own, I was bought with something much more costly than silver or gold- I was purchased by the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19). I walk as a member of Christ’s Body, the Church. I’m part of his Kingdom!
Walking as a foreigner
Where do our values originate? A believer is called to walk according to the values of God’s Kingdom, as laid out in scripture. I ask myself through question: if Jesus returned today- how would my current set of values, my hobbies, my speech, and the way I treat others fit under his Lordship? What would be left?
What if Jesus physically stepped into our environment right now? What would we desire to let go of?
Dear believer! The Kingdom of God is already here! We cannot see it, but those who are called by God’s name (his children!), who believe in Christ Jesus His Son, are citizens of Heaven.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20 (ESV).
It’s for now
We are already called to walk according to the holiness of Christ, within his Kingdom. This doesn’t come by our own strength (that holiness comes from Jesus and that strength from the Holy Spirit), but it also doesn’t come without our engagement or action!
Why would we long for the Kingdom of God of every value we held was of worldly origin?
“Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit…” 2 Corinthians 7:1a
These are action words! These are words that call the believer to engage with the work of Christ (through grace) in their hearts! As obedient children, we are called to walk out the values of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are urged to cooperate with his work of grace by cleansing our minds, our hearts, our homes, our speech- all that encompasses body and spirit, from defilement, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. Ultimately it is His work in our hearts, but we are called to walk in obedience.
Fear of God
We cannot understand the depth of grace without an understanding of the standards of God and his holiness. Fear for the believer under grace is covered by “perfect love” (1John 4:17-18). The perfect love of God drives out fear because there is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1). But we should never forget the holiness of God. His holiness should stop us in our tracks- He is worthy of awe, respect, and the highest honor. It is good to find comfort in and tremble before the Almighty and only holy God!
So take courage today! God has brought us to himself in the most loving way imaginable: His only son. All who believe in his name and entrust their souls to him are given the right to become a child of God (John 1:12).
My prayer for us today is that we run the race in His holiness, experience grace upon grace when we stumble, and cooperate with the work the Lord seeks to do in our hearts.
