Perfecting Holiness

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Psalms 123-125 and 2Corinthians 7.

The first verse of 2Cor 7 strikes us right smack in the face as Paul summarizes the Christian endeavour in a  "3 point" sermon outline.

1) Perfecting holiness
What do we need to do? Perfect holiness. Perfecting in the sense of making complete - i.e. always seeking to makeup the shortfall. A constant diligent endeavour. In the sense of purity, humility and sincerity in purpose. Holiness is simply being set apart, being different after a godly sort. As Paul exhorted Titus (and hence us!) in Ti 2:12 to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;". How do we carry ourselves? Does the world perceive us differently, or do we just behave and appear like anyone else?

2) Cleanse ourselves
How do we do it? Making ourselves clean from filth in the flesh and spirit.
Keep ourselves pure and blemish free is a constant process! Basic 2 step process - clean and keep clean. If there's sin in our lives, remove it! After which, keep ourselves pure by not just thinking not to do, but engage in fruitful works to keep out the devil (c.f. Luk 11:24-26).
Notice "of the flesh and spirit". It applies to action and thoughts! And really, the root of the issue comes from the thoughts. Think good and good will come! (c.f. Mat 12:35)

3) Having promises
Why do we do it? Because we have "these promises". Of what promises? Of the assurance of comfort (2Co 1:4). Of salvation (2Co 2:15,16). Of all sufficiency in God (2Co 3:5). Of the temporal nature of suffering and of eternal glory (2Co 4:17,18). Of the terror of God (2Co 5:11). Of being sons and daughters to our Father in heaven (2Co 6:18).
Brethren, if these be not reason and motivation enough, what else is?

Let us continue to strive for perfection in Christ, to constantly endeavour to live right before God that we may finally lay hold on to the eternal glory in heaven.

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul

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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ~ Psalm 119:11