Perfecting Holiness II Corinthians 6:14-7:1 I. Introduction. A. Holiness: "The manifestation of the quality of holiness in personal life"(Vine). 1. Also known as "sanctification." a. Literally: To set apart. b. Christians are different. 2. Involves a separation to God; a right relation to God(Vine). 3. Describes those who are "saints." 4. Distinguishes one from the world. 5. Outlines a specific type of conduct associated with righteousness. 6. Can use words like worthy...honorable...free from defilement...godliness, etc. B. As a disciple, one is to perfect holiness: II Corinthians 7:1. C. Note: II Corinthians 6:14-7:1. II. Body. How does one practice holiness? A. "Be not unequally yoked"(v. 14). 1. Unequal: To join some things(couple together) that are not agreeable.(A yoke of a different kind.) 2. Under Old Covenant: Deuteronomy 22:10. 3. Lack of harmony in purpose, life, behavior, etc. 4. Not to place in relationship where believer is controlled by unbeliever. 5. Become close to those who can help you grow-- not tear you down (even some brethren are in the negative gender and kickative mood). 6. Further: Conflict of righteousness and iniquity. a. Goals and aspiration different. b. The two serve different masters. 7. Little in common: cannot live as world and disciple at same time. B. "Seek peace with Christ"(v. 15). 1. Concord: agreement, harmony(sounding together; a symphony(Greek). 2. What do they have in common? 3. Belial: A worthless fellow(hopeless). a. Used of Satan(personification). b. Devil is against Christ. c. Also: Extreme wickedness. 4. Portion: To have a part with(Vine). 5. There is a conflict of interest between the believer and unbeliever: Matthew 6:33. 6. Stay in the yoke with Christ: brings peace. C. Realize we are a "temple of the living God"(v. 16). 1. Word "temple" associated with heathen deities earlier: now with the true God. 2. Not in agreement with idols. 3. Nor with characteristics of those who walk in this manner: Colossians 3:5-9. 4. We are consecrated to God, not to the world and the lusts thereof. 5. Hence: Ephesians 2:19-22. 6. God dwells and walks with Christians. 7. Enjoy the protection and care as God's people. D. Be separated from unclean things(v. 17-18). 1. Must come out from and abstain from all wickedness: Romans 1:1. 2. Separate: "To mark off by bounds"(Vine). a. Keep out of one's life and thoughts. b. What holiness does for one. 3. Welcomes love and care of the Father. 4. What better illustration: Father to sons and daughters. 5. Lifts one to dignity, morality and spirituality: Revelation 21:7. E. Believe the promises(v. 7:1a). 1. Faith in what God has revealed, what He has promised and what He has warned. 2. Brings us closer to the quality of holiness in our lives. 3. Faith in God should produce faith in His way. 4. Do I truly believe what God says in His word? 5. Note: Hebrews 11:1. 6. Hence: Hebrews 12:1. F. Cleanse ourselves(7:1b). 1. Literally, purify of moral defilement. 2. Covers flesh and spirit: inner life can be defiled as well as flesh. a. One may not do those sins that are obvious(steal, cheat, lie, etc.). b. But--could think and harbor on the inside a corruption that would eat away the soul, destroying spiritual life(spiritual gangrene). 3. Up to the individual: Philippians 2:12. 4. Many seek to cleanse the body while leaving the spirit unclean. 5. Perfecting holiness is to be completed--carried to ection(the end of life). G. Do it "in the fear of God"(7:1b). 1. Only reverence and awe for the God who created us can lead us from the valley of sin into the plains of holiness. 2. A godly reverential fear is part of the Christian's thinking and outlook. 3. "A wholesome dread of displeasing Him"(Vine). 4. Phobos: Flight caused by being scared(here: flight from anything interfering with holiness). III. Conclusion. A. Holiness is not something you catch--it is something you grow into. B. There are those things one must avoid(sin) and those things one must practice(righteousness). C. Are you holy?-James L. Yopp