So then, dear friends, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV
What promises do we have? That God will be a Father to us. And that we will be his children (2 Cor. 6:18). We have an eternal future in relationship with our creator and redeemer. How wonderful is that?
Now, since we have these promises, how should they impact our lives? Paul instructs the Corinthian church that it should lead them to root out of their lives anything that would get in the way of perfecting holiness. And it really should be the same for me. So if it does not belong in my life, I should get rid of it. Anything, whether physical or spiritual, that is contaminated, should be removed. I need to work toward perfecting personal holiness. Whether I can achieve that in this life or not is uncertain. But it should be my goal.
And why do this? Paul’s answer is simple. Do it out of reverence for God. The purification of my life is an ongoing act of worship toward God, similar to the living sacrifice that Paul mentions in Romans 12:1. So then, if it is in my life, and it dishonors God, I should remove it.
