Promises for Piety
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 Cor. 7:1
The promises the apostle is referring to are the promises that God will dwell with us and be for us: "I will dwell with them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (6:16-18). These promises encourage us in at least two ways: they tell us that the basis for our pursuit of holiness is our relationship with God, that we are not fighting sin on the resources of the flesh, but in the strength of God's grace. But they also encourage us that the fruit of our pursuit of holiness is more fellowship and communion with the living God.
If you believe this, Paul says, it ought to motivate you to cleanse yourself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. In other words, God's promises do not function as pillows for the spiritually slothful. Rather, they're more like a super energy drink (but without the bad side effects) that awakens us to pursue holiness with more vigor, with more earnestness, with more desire, and with more carefulness. Note the emphasis here on the universality of the holiness which is sought: "from all filthiness . . . perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
My friend, the way of holiness is neither a weary path nor a dreary task. Sin can do nothing in the end but to drain us of all true joy and happiness. For it is in the pursuit of holiness that God brings us into the enjoyment of his fellowship and presence, in which is fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11). Let us therefore join the apostle and this day make it our aim to "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."