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.
—2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV)
In a world so full of distractions and temptations, purity is difficult. Even more than difficult, the call to purity often goes forgotten and ignored (1 John 3:2-3). "Cheap grace" (Jude 1:4) is sometimes substituted for Jesus' call to passionate, pure, and holy living. While we never want to give in to a works-righteousness approach to salvation, we must also remember that impurity through laziness, lack of commitment, or simple rebellion contaminates those claiming to be Christians and ruins our influence before the watching world. We are called to be at work perfecting holiness in our lives out of our reverence for God!
Please purify my heart, my life, my body, and my influence, O God. May my words and my thoughts be blameless in your sight. I want to be holy as you are holy and honor you alone as worthy of honor and glory. I commit to living a holy life dedicated to you because it honors you, the one, true, living, and holy God! Through Jesus, I ask this. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
In a world so full of distractions and temptations, purity is difficult. Even more than difficult, the call to purity often goes forgotten and ignored (1 John 3:2-3). "Cheap grace" (Jude 1:4) is sometimes substituted for Jesus' call to passionate, pure, and holy living. While we never want to give in to a works-righteousness approach to salvation, we must also remember that impurity through laziness, lack of commitment, or simple rebellion contaminates those claiming to be Christians and ruins our influence before the watching world. We are called to be at work perfecting holiness in our lives out of our reverence for God!
My Prayer...
Please purify my heart, my life, my body, and my influence, O God. May my words and my thoughts be blameless in your sight. I want to be holy as you are holy and honor you alone as worthy of honor and glory. I commit to living a holy life dedicated to you because it honors you, the one, true, living, and holy God! Through Jesus, I ask this. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
