“There are, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
The Corinthians needed a genuine relationship with God in order to counteract their love for the world. Paul showed them the contrast be- tween justice and injustice, light and darkness, Christ and Belial, the believer and the unbeliever (see 2 Corinthians 7:14, 13). He motivated them to seek holiness and to avoid making alliances with unbelievers that would put their faith at risk. He taught that the church should go to the world, but that the world should not intertwine with the church. A boat does not sink merely for being in the water, but only when the water gets into it. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to trust in two of God’s promises: the promise to receive us, and the promise to adopt us as His own children (see 2 Corinthians 6:17). “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18).
God keeps His promises, because He does not change His mind like people do (see 1 Samuel 15:29). But there are conditions for His coming promises: ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17). Separating ourselves includes turning our back to sin, seeking God, training our minds to think about what is pure, keeping watch over our senses, eliminating whatever invites us to lust, and feeding our senses with things that please God. Today’s verse emphasizes perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Holi- ness is a condition for receiving God’s promises, and also for seeing Him: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). But holiness is also a promise: “You shall therefore be Holy, for I am Holy” (Leviticus 11:43).
‘True sanctification takes place in the life of the believer who is every con scious of being in the presence of God. A holy reverence for God is essential to the perfection of holiness. A consciousness of the divine presence leads to true reverence. As the eye of faith beholds God there is cultivated in the soul an intense hatred of sin and an earnest desire for righteousness. To fear the Lord means to live every moment under the paternal eye of a holy God. The fear of the Lord is the basis of worship, obedience, and holy service.”—SDK Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 880).
The “temperature” of your holiness is measured by your fear of God.
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Esteban Cortes
