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. (2Corinthians.7.1 NIV)
The gospel of Grace is not one that exempts holiness and the fear of God as some misunderstand it. On the contrary, it is one which perfects men in the holiness of God.
In it, we are carried to a holiness no man can archive by his own works but rather by the strength of Christ. A perfection no man can add into.
Now with the understanding that it is not by your strength that you become holy but by God who is Holy, the Bible is teaching us to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
You see the twist. Before Grace came, people performed works of 'holiness' to try to reach or show the fear of God. In the Grace, the fear of God is what purifies someone that they become Holy.
How does it work? Take for instance by the law people knew certain foods make you unholy. But when Christ came, He made it clear that foods don't really contaminate. It's the state of the heart.
Mark.7.15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. (NKJV)
Mark.7.21-23 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'"
So, the fear of God deals with the heart. When the scripture tells us to purify ourselves from things that contaminate the body and spirit, He is telling us to mature continuously in the fear of God: reverence for God.
A corrupted heart does not fear God and though it pretends to be holy in the presence of human witnesses by reason of works, in the sight of God, it is filthy. Because God cares about the consecration of the heart even in secret.
The person who has learnt to keep their boundaries even in the secret has a high degree of the fear of God.
We are not called to do works to earn perfection in holiness but made holy in Christ for good works.
Ephesians.2.10 For we are God 's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (AMP)
So, the command is simple;
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew.5.48 NIV)
Hallelujah!
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