"These promises" refer back to the previous verses from chapter 6, that God will dwell in us - those who have turned to the Lord Jesus and trusted in him as Savior: He will be our God, and we will be his people.
In light of this, Paul exhorts us to do something: "...let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh...." This seems perfectly clear to me: we should not live like we used to, loving our sin, enjoying the pleasures of sin this world offers. We are called to live differently when we are born again. For example, see the scriptures in Ephesians 4:22-23 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, among many others. So this is understood.
But Paul goes on to speak about the , "...filthiness of ... the spirit...." This is for me the thought provoking part. I wonder, does filthiness of the flesh speak to actions and deeds, and filthiness of the spirit speak to the thoughts and intents of our hearts, what we imagine in our minds or ponder in the secret chambers of the heart? Or, might this refer to improper worship, idolatry, etc.? As I think about this, I get the sense that it is more pointed toward the former rather than the latter. Certainly we need to have our minds renewed, as Paul speaks about in Ephesians 4:23, and also in Romans 12:1-2.
"...,perfecting holiness in the fear of God." The battle is in the mind, and I need the Holy Spirit to use the word of God to change my thinking and take captive thoughts that exalt themselves against God (2 Corinthians 10:5). And I need to let the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, to cause me to practice walking in holiness, which is not acting religious or pious but rather separated or set aside as God's personal property. I belong to God now. Jesus Christ bought and paid for me on Calvary's cross, and I am now not to live for myself but for him (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
I say "practice" because of something Mark Cahill taught me regarding witnessing: he said that anything we are good at takes practice. He got good at basketball because he spent hours practicing basketball. If I want to get better at witnessing and sharing the gospel, I'm going to have to practice. Believe me, I remind myself of this often because there are times I walk away from a witnessing opportunity and feel woefully inadequate.
Same goes for holiness: if I want to live a more holy life as Paul is telling me above, I need to practice. And I think this means, as I yield to the Holy Spirit to lead in my life; as I read & feed on God's word; as I pray to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18); God will work in me and through me to bring holiness to perfection. And no, I am not tallying about reaching some peak of sinless perfection. Just that Paul by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit challenges me to perfect holiness, and I should take that seriously. Knowing it is not in me to do this, but the God gives the "want to" and the power, according to Philippians 2:12-13.
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
Well, that's what I was thinking about this morning. May God work in our lives so that we might live fully for the Lord Jesus in this life, looking forward to that life that is to come. Let's encourage one another to perfect holiness and let the Holy Spirit lead, guide and empower us to this end.
Maranatha!
Paul
