Be Holy … out of reverence

Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Perfecting holiness! Whew! God said it over and over again, “I am holy; you be holy.” And He meant it. He backed up His words with His Son and His Spirit and His Word. The ways to purify ourselves are better than at our fingertips. They are in our heart.

Yes, the world pulls at our heartstrings. It is true that before God I really didn’t know better. Oh I may have lived a pretty good moral life, but holiness was not at the core of my being. Now I know better. And when temptations tug, I have the resources to escape that which contaminates body and spirit (1 Corinthians 10:13).

I am the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16). So if Jesus says: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), perfection is within the realm of possibility. 

Out of reverence jumps off the page in bold type. It settles on down, deep down into my spirit. Perfecting holiness becomes an act of worship, for you and for me.

·      Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth (Psalm 96:9).

·      Holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD (Psalm 93:5).

·      Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness (Psalm 29:2).

·      And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness…it will be for those who walk in that Way…only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away (Isaiah 35:8-10).

·      Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed (Revelation 15:4).

O Lord, perfect holiness in me.

Nancy P