A Spirit-filled Life - Perfecting Holiness for my Body and Spirit (1-15-2013)

January 15, 2013 - 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1

6:16		神 的 殿 和 偶 像 有 甚 麼 相 同 呢 ． 因 為 我 們 是 永 生 　 神 的 殿 ． 就 如 　 神 曾 說 、 『 我 要 在 他 們 中 間 居 住 、 在 他 們 中 間 來 往 ． 我 要 作 他 們 的 　 神 、 他 們 要 作 我 的 子 民 。 』
6:17		又 說 、 『 你 們 務 要 從 他 們 中 間 出 來 、 與 他 們 分 別 、 不 要 沾 不 潔 淨 的 物 、 我 就 收 納 你 們 。
6:18		我 要 作 你 們 的 父 、 你 們 要 作 我 的 兒 女 。 』 這 是 全 能 的 主 說 的 。
7:1		親 愛 的 弟 兄 阿 、 我 們 既 有 這 等 應 許 、 就 當 潔 淨 自 己 、 除 去 身 體 靈 魂 一 切 的 污 穢 、 敬 畏 　 神 、 得 以 成 聖 。

¹⁶ What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

   “I will live with them 
   and walk among them, 
and I will be their God, 
   and they will be my people.”

   ¹⁷ Therefore,

   “Come out from them 
   and be separate, says the Lord. 
Touch no unclean thing, 
   and I will receive you.”

   ¹⁸ And,

   “I will be a Father to you, 
   and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

¹ Therefore, 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.

Perfect Holiness is the earnest desire of John Wesley in his spiritual growth. Paul proclaims that the living God promises that all His sons and daughters have received this promise of perfecting our holiness out of reverence for God. This is a life-long process that requires our determination to purify ourselves to perfect holiness for our bodies and spirits (the holistic sanctification). We have been made to be temple of the living God because God is living with and walking among us through His Holy Spirit. This is a fact and reality but must be manifested as we determine to grow in His holiness by separation from all kinds of contamination in our lives. 

My Spirit, this is such a wonderful promise again to me. My Father God, who calls me his son and also his people, has given me such a wonderful promise and called me to perfect holiness in my body and spirit. I pray that I rely on You always to sanctify my words, thoughts, and deeds everyday that I can be more like Jesus. I know that I am not perfect now but I am assured that this is a promise that will be fulfilled as I live out a Spirit-filled life out of my eagerness and reverence for God.