“Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 NLT
The Christian life is not only about receiving God’s promises, but it is also about responding to them. In this verse, the apostle Paul calls us pilgrims to a life of intentional purity and spiritual growth. Because of what God has promised us, we are encouraged to actively pursue holiness in our daily lives. But what are “these promises” that Paul referred to in today’s verse? In the closing verses of the previous chapter, Paul quoted his paraphrase of two Old Testament scriptures, “ … I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. … And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty”. (2 Corinthians 6:16b, 18). These promises remind us that believers are not distant from God because we are His people, His children, and His dwelling place. When we truly grasp that reality, it changes how we live. Our motivation for holiness is not legalism but relationship.
Paul continues, “let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit.” Paul wasn’t suggesting that we pilgrims wash more often or change our soap. This was a call for us to cleanse our inner beings, the spirits within us. It’s obvious, really, because how can the Holy Spirit, who is pure and holy, live inside a sinful human being? Sin can affect both the body and the spirit. Some sins contaminate our actions, while others slowly shape our thoughts, desires, and motivations. Paul encourages believers to deal with both. This cleansing is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing process of repentance, confession, and renewal as we walk with God. The Psalmist David wrote, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). In the Biblical context, our hearts are our inner beings, our spirits. David also wrote, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Psalm 139:23-24). We will need God’s help because, as Jeremiah wrote, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
So with God’s help, we move on to the next part of 2 Corinthians 17:1, “And let us work toward complete holiness”. Is this ever achievable? Are we pilgrims believing something to which we can never attain, in this life anyway? The Christian life involves spiritual growth. We are saved by grace, but we are also called to grow, to develop our characters to become more like Jesus. Paul wrote, “ … continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” (Philippians 2:12c). The life of a believer starts at the point of salvation. But it doesn’t stop there, because we go through a period in the rest of our lives that we call sanctification, the act of being saved. But there will come that wonderful day when we experience glorification. And what a wonderful day that will be! The holiness that Paul wrote about simply means being set apart for God. It is reflected in our choices, speech, attitudes, and priorities. As we grow spiritually, we become more like Christ. Peter wrote, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Paul concludes by reminding believers that this pursuit of holiness flows from a “fear of God.” This fear is not terror but deep reverence, respect, and awe for who God is. When we truly understand God’s holiness and love, we desire to honour Him with our lives. In Proverbs 19:23, we read, “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble”. Imagine preparing our homes for a very important guest. We would likely tidy up, clean the rooms, and remove anything that shouldn’t be there. We would want the house to be ready. To the church in Laodicea, Jesus wrote, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20). Jesus could turn up at any time and knock at the doors of our hearts. Are we ready?
Dear Heavenly Father. You don’t want us to remain in a life of sin, our hearts corrupted and unsuitable for You to live in. Please help us to get our houses in order, ready for the day when You call us home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 