PERFECTING HOLINESS

PERFECTING HOLINESS

2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

I remind you what is happening in 2 Corinthians.

At issue is Paul’s ministry. 

Certain persons in the church there had attacked the ministry of the Apostle Paul. 

He has gone chapter after chapter defending his ministry and, by contrast, pulling the other down.

·     One is the letter

·     The other is the spirit

·     One leads to death

·     The other leads to life

·     One is selfish

·     The other is selfless

On and on he has contrasted his ministry, to that of this divisive element in the church there.

All of us are used to seeing “bell curves” these days. It’s that line graph that begins low, builds to a peak and then begins to gradually decline.

They predict that the virus will reach the top of the curve here in the United States in the next couple of days. 

It will be on the decline, but it will not be over.

I think we can look at Paul’s contest in 2 Corinthians like that:

·   It reaches its zenith, the top of the curve in chapter 6

·   It is practically forgotten in chapters 8-9, but

·   It isn’t over until it’s over at the end of the book

Many people believe that 2 Corinthians 7:1 rightfully belongs at the end of chapter 6. 

I don’t think the division matters, but I do think, the context sure fits with the last three verses of chapter 6.

I want to focus on that phrase, “perfecting holiness.”

Notice first

I. THAT HOLINESS MAY BE "PERFECTED"

2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

That means something like, “polished.”

We have holiness but it is not finalized. 

It is not a finished product yet. 

·   Our walk with the Lord, 

·   Our testimony for Christ 

·   Our service in Christ 

are all things that may be 

· Refined and 

· Polished and 

· Tweaked and 

· Adjusted and 

· Trimmed and 

· Developed 

until the day we are in the presence of the Lord.

I am not perfect and that is all right. 

But I am able to go on perfecting holiness in my life.

I notice secondly,

II. THAT THERE IS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS  

2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Since I am able to perfect holiness, I am response-able to do so.

He says "…let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit." 

I must not sit idle on this matter. 

I have a personal responsibility to cleanse myself of this filthiness. I cannot use the excuse that God has not helped me therefore it is His fault. 

·     This is my business

·     This is my work

·     This is my responsibility

I notice thirdly,

III. THAT WE HAVE SOME PROMISES DESIGNED TO MOTIVATE AND HELP US  

2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

These promises spring from 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 KJV

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

As we separate form that which is evil

As we unify around that which is holy

A. God will dwell with us in His temple

Which is the local church.

B. God will receive us

Which is fellowship and favor

C. God will embrace us

As His sons and daughters.

By the way, this is the only time in the New Testament, that I am aware of, where the Bible distinguishes between God’s sons and daughters.

When, for instance, in John 1:12 (KJV)

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

We understand the term “sons” to be generic, inclusive or men and women.

When in Romans 8:14 (KJV)

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

We understand the term “sons” to be generic, inclusive or men and women.

When in Galatians 3:27-28 (KJV)

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

It does not mean that, once we are Christians, our gender is no longer a reality.

Some people believe that, Matthew 22:30 (KJV)

For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

means that when we get to heaven, we are all masculine.

I think 2 Corinthians 6:18 puts that to pasture.

What I do know is that, as I separate from those who cause divisions in the work of the local church

·     God’s presence is more obvious there because I have less distracting me from His presence.

·     God’s favor is more of a reality for me because I’m not a part of a schism in the body and

·     God’s pleasure is more of an experience for me because I am His child in harmony with Him

And all of that helps me, moves me, to become more holy, more like His Son, closer to Him than I was before.