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

3. Perfecting Holiness
So far this year in dealing with our theme, we have looked at the verse under consideration
We have noticed the context, looked at the promises given and spoken about the need to cleanse ourselves
All of these things are leading up to our theme, “Perfecting Holiness”

4. Perfecting Holiness
Until we cleanse ourselves, we cannot perfect holiness
Perhaps we are not so willing to be cleansed as we are when we recount the promises of God
So all these things work together to move us to where God wants us to be

5. Perfecting Holiness
Today we want to not only consider the command of “perfecting holiness”, but also the stipulation of doing so “in the fear of God”
We know the context and we see the prerequisites, so what does it mean to perfect holiness?
2 words require us to understand their meaning

6. Perfecting
The idea of perfecting here is certainly not what we would commonly think
We certainly know that perfection can only be attained through Christ and His cleansing blood (Rom. 3:23; Eph. 1:7)
This is a word that simply indicates a completion of action

7. Perfecting “…bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (ESV)
It’s not a perfection we can obtain on our own, but rather our working to complete something that we have begun
So we complete the process of holiness…

8. Holiness What do we mean by the idea of holiness?
We see this thought of being holy in God’s word
The word holy or holiness indicates a separation or setting apart; setting aside something for a special purpose

9. Holiness Remember in the context we saw some of these things…
“Do not be unequally yoked together…” (6:14)
“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord” (6:17)
“…let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit…” (7:1)

10. Holiness
The idea of holiness in our lives is setting ourselves aside for our God
It means separating ourselves from sin and evil, to consecrate ourselves for His service
We can only do that if we are willing to separate ourselves from sin and the world

11. Holiness These things were not written to new converts
Those of the church in Corinth had been Christians for quite some time
They were being commanded to separate themselves from any worldly or sinful thing and make themselves pure for Christ

12. Perfecting Holiness
So completing the process of holiness is separating ourselves from sin and worldliness for God’s purposes
We are showing our devotion and dedication to God by being morally pure
Separating ourselves is sometimes easier said than done

13. In The Fear Of God
This remaining part of the verse calls for this to be done “in the fear of God”
Our perfecting holiness derives from our fear of God
This isn’t a fear that simply means that we are afraid of God

14. In The Fear Of God
This fear is a word that means a profound respect and awe for
Certainly we are to fear God (Ecc. 12:13; II Cor. 5:11; Heb. 10:31)
We also should have a very deep respect and be in awe of who He is and what He has done

15. In The Fear Of God Not only should the promises of God motivate us…
We should be in awe of a God who would make such promises to us, who are undeserving of His grace
This should cause us to want to separate ourselves for Him who loved us