Our hearts have been purified by the Lord, He now calls us to live like it. Internally you are squeaky clean in Christ Jesus, externally you must display this cleanliness before the world. For Romans 8:1 doesn’t just say that “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,” but it goes on to say.. “who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Sin defiles us, sin separates us from God, and prevents us from full fellowship with Him. It is our job to pursue a relationship with Jesus by loving Him. Jesus said “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (Jn 14:15) We must work out what God has worked in us (Phil 2:12), and we do this by not quenching the Spirit in our lives, from working in us and through us, with our sin.
There are 3 ways we can pursue spiritual cleanliness ie. godliness; Relationships, Paul had just told the Corinthians to “not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” -to not team up with the world- not to have fellowship with them. (6:14-15) This does not mean we avoid contact with unbelievers but it does mean that we avoid contamination. Our relationships with the world must be limited to showing them Christ’s love and not engaging with them in sinful stuff. I might be free to have some wine in the privacy of my own home but if I start drinking with unbelievers again I open myself up to drunkenness and become vulnerable to other sins.
Secondly Repentance - a conscious continuous turning from sin, helps us to maintain an unhindered relationship with the Lord. You should never say “I’m sorry” to the Lord if you don’t intend to repent of what you are “sorry” for. You shouldn’t live like hell if you are on your way to heaven!
Thirdly Renewal, we need a constant renewal in our walk. Jesus told Peter you are already bathed but you need to wash your feet. If you don’t spend intimate time with Lord not just at His feet but in His hands - offering your feet to Him to be washed by Him - you will not get the renewal you need to maintain a holy lifestyle. Most Christians will spend time at Jesus’ feet on Sunday mornings but they refuse His hands throughout the week. Fear the Lord and seek holiness in your relationships, through repentance, and by renewal!
Sin defiles us, sin separates us from God, and prevents us from full fellowship with Him. It is our job to pursue a relationship with Jesus by loving Him. Jesus said “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (Jn 14:15) We must work out what God has worked in us (Phil 2:12), and we do this by not quenching the Spirit in our lives, from working in us and through us, with our sin.
There are 3 ways we can pursue spiritual cleanliness ie. godliness; Relationships, Paul had just told the Corinthians to “not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” -to not team up with the world- not to have fellowship with them. (6:14-15) This does not mean we avoid contact with unbelievers but it does mean that we avoid contamination. Our relationships with the world must be limited to showing them Christ’s love and not engaging with them in sinful stuff. I might be free to have some wine in the privacy of my own home but if I start drinking with unbelievers again I open myself up to drunkenness and become vulnerable to other sins.
Secondly Repentance - a conscious continuous turning from sin, helps us to maintain an unhindered relationship with the Lord. You should never say “I’m sorry” to the Lord if you don’t intend to repent of what you are “sorry” for. You shouldn’t live like hell if you are on your way to heaven!
Thirdly Renewal, we need a constant renewal in our walk. Jesus told Peter you are already bathed but you need to wash your feet. If you don’t spend intimate time with Lord not just at His feet but in His hands - offering your feet to Him to be washed by Him - you will not get the renewal you need to maintain a holy lifestyle. Most Christians will spend time at Jesus’ feet on Sunday mornings but they refuse His hands throughout the week. Fear the Lord and seek holiness in your relationships, through repentance, and by renewal!
- HOW IS NOT BEING UNEQUALLY YOKED APPLIED IN CHRISTIAN COURTING? WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIVING HOLY LIVES AND BEING SANCTIFIED BY THE SPIRIT?
- "My one aim in life is to secure personal holiness, for without being holy myself I cannot promote real holiness in others." -John Wesley