Young People's Group

PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD

by Pastor Mitch
February 27, 2005

To What Extent Are We Willing To Go To Be Holy?

Holiness takes hard work. It is not something that we gain easily. Being holy is something that we need to perfect.

“Therefore having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 
2 Corinthians 7:1

This is the ultimate challenge. If we truly understand that God has given us great and wonderful promises, we will seek to be holy. God will bless us according to His promises when we are blameless in His sight. Young people, to what degree are we willing to work on developing holiness in our lives? Let’s ask ourselves three pertinent questions.

1. To What Extent Do We Sorrow Over Our Sins?

“For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” 
2 Corinthians 7:11

When we sin against the Lord, it is not enough just to simply say “sorry”. The word “repentance” means to have a change of mind and heart. There must be definite signs of true repentance. We will be truly remorseful for our sins. It will produce diligence within us to clear ourselves of our transgressions. It will produce a sense of anger and zeal against our sins. We will stop at nothing until we are clear of the matter. Brethren, are we willing to go to such an extent to sorrow for our sins?

2. To What Extent Do We Deal With Our Sins?

“Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit…” 
2 Corinthians 7:1

Cleansing must be a continuous process. Sins are like stains in our lives. We need to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. We must purge ourselves from fleshly sin. But even then we are only dealing with sin at the first level. Sin is so sinister that it could affect the depths of our soul. There must be a deeper work of cleansing that we must seek in prayer. We must hide the word of God so deeply that it cleanses our soul. Would we spend time each day seeking the Lord’s cleansing in prayer and reading His word?

3. To What Extent Do We Desire To Perfect Holiness?

“Perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 
2 Corinthians 7:1

Many people in the world will spend hours each day just perfecting a skill. What about being holy before the God’s sight? How strong is our desire to pursue and perfect holiness? Let’s reach towards perfecting holiness in the fear of God. We must cultivate the highest regard for the Lord and His word. The Lord is holy and so we must be holy too. There must be a greater sense of reverence of the Lord. Let’s seek to read His word and obey it. Let’s be conscious of God in all that we do. Let’s spare no effort in perfecting holiness.

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