2 Corinthians 7:1; Perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God

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2 Corinthians 7:1 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.

The promise of God’s presence and power supporting us to this new life of holiness requires that we will rid our lives of all defilement. The defilement of sin that separates us from our Father in heaven, that grieves the Holy Spirit within us and shows our ingratitude toward our Lord Jesus Christ who saved us.

Defilement of the flesh includes all forms of physical impurity, whereas filthiness of the spirit covers one’s inward life, motives, and thoughts. [MacDonald]

When Israel made the golden calf at the foot of Mount Sinai, it displeased the Lord. At that moment, God’s fear seemed to have departed from their heart.

Exodus 32:1-6 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

God’s wrath was kindled upon them for the pollution of sin separates us from our holy God.

Exodus 32:7-10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

May the Lord grant His people the grace to live a clean life for His honour and glory. May God’s fear be in the hearts of His people. Amen.