"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,'I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.'
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
1. The fear of the Lord is the emotive, joyful trembling of the child of God as he enters into and understands the wonder of the cross of Christ which leads to thankful worship and service.
We bring holiness to completion (or bring it to its intended goal) in the fear of the Lord. Holiness in our standing before the Lord is something that God gives to believers (1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Thessalonians 2:13), but it is something that God gives to something that Christians strive to enter into (1 Corinthians 7:34, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Romans 6:19).
2. “These promises” identifies Old Testament passages as promises from God that relate to the restoration of the people of God and the blessing that will attend such restoration.
“The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.” Westminster Confession of Faith, Section 1, Article 10
3. Paul calls upon “the beloved” to join with him in cleansing and seeking the cleansing from the Lord.
"2. By it a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous lawof God, and upon the apprehension of His mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments.
3. Although repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ; yet is it of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it." Westminster Confession of Faith, Section 15, articles 2 and 3
“The logical consequence of possessing such promises is that Christ's followers should make a complete break with every form of unhealthy compromise – the necessity for a thorough cleansing is emphasized both by declaring that it should be from all defilement and also by the addition of the words 'of flesh and spirit', that is, all defilement of every possible kind both external and internal, both seen and unseen, both public and private.” Philip E. Phughes, 2 Corinthians; New International Commentary, p. 258
4. “There are things which contaminate us that should be..."
APPLICATION STATEMENTS
1. Entering into the joy, struggle, and reward of being a disciple of Christ (Numbers 10:6).
2. We do this in the context of brothers and sisters.
"Let us not sleep, as do others. There are many ways of promoting Christian wakefulness. Among the rest, let me strongly advise Christians to converse together concerning the ways of the Lord. Christian and Hopeful, as they journeyed towards the Celestial City, said to themselves, 'To prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse.' Christian enquired, 'Brother, where shall we begin?' And Hopeful answered, 'Where God began with us." Then Christian sang this song-
'When saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither,
And hear how these two pilgrims talk together;
Yea, let them learn of them, in any wise,
Thus to keep open their drowsy slumbering eyes.
Saints' fellowship, if it be managed well,
Keeps them awake, and that in spite of hell.'
Christians who isolate themselves and walk alone, are very liable to grow drowsy. Hold Christian company, and you will be kept wakeful by it, and refreshed and encouraged to make quicker progress in the road to heaven. But, as you thus take "sweet counsel" with others in the ways of God, take care that the theme of your converse is the Lord Jesus. Let the eye of faith be constantly looking unto Him; let your heart be full of Him; let your lips speak of His worth. Friend, live near to the cross, and thou wilt not sleep. Labour to impress thyself with a deep sense of the value of the place to which thou art going." Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, March 5th
3. An energetic focus.
Hebrews 12:1-2