“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)
Imagine a bride, adorned with her beautiful white wedding dress, choosing to march down a muddy road before uniting with her groom. Purity and filth are not compatible. As the bride of Christ, we were made ready for our union with Christ through His atoning work on the cross. Positionally, we are clean and made fit for heaven. However, practically, we are still working out what God has worked in.
The muddy road of life requires that we purify ourselves from the contamination of our fallen world. We must guard our hearts and protect ourselves from the flaming arrows of the evil one. Staying clean while living in a dirty world mandates making wise decisions about what we say, think, and do. Our conversation and conduct must be consistent with the character of Christ being formed in us.
A clean life begins with receiving the nature of the Lamb of God at salvation. Upon conversion, we take on the nature of Christ and His desire for purity. That clean life is preserved as we purify ourselves from the filth of this world and embrace a healthy reverence for God. Fearing God means that we hold His opinion of us above all other opinions and expectations. Fearing God means to orient our lives to please Him above all others.
Are you living a life of moral purity? How’s your thought-life? Evaluate your conversation and your conduct. Are you living a life pleasing and honoring to God? Is there anything in your life that contaminates the life of Christ in you? Are you perfecting holiness through revering God? Confess known sin and embrace the life God has for you.
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Lead Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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