PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE FEAR OF GOD

“Let the whole world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him.”    Psalms 33:8 NLT

As Christ embraces our life with the reality of an intimate personal relationship, we will seek to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. We will not take pride in the things we put off that are displeasing to God. We will humbly seek to "put on Christ" and be clothed with His virtues.  Humility is one of the highest graces and one of the hardest to attain.

Jesus said, "But this is not the way it is with you; rather, the greatest one among you must be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the servant.  Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serves?  The one who sits down, of course.  But I am among you as one who serves.”  Luke 22:26-27 GNT

Oh, that we might have a servant's heart and seek to magnify the Lord in every phase of our life.  This will be the fruit of a humble heart and a contrite spirit that is in submission to His Lordship.

We must "cleanse ourselves of filthiness of the flesh and spirit." (II Cor.7:1)
Standing in awe of God must precede, not follow, the purification of our hearts. It is when we embrace a tenderness of conscience and a watchfulness of mind that our hearts are open in reverential awe of who God is.

 We desire to put off the filthiness of the flesh and sins, which arise from the body …… uncleanness, intemperance, lust, laziness, addictions, irresponsibility, and etc. Then there are sins of the mind -- pride, envy, malice, revenge, lies, hatred, deceit, and others that quench the Spirit. These must be cleansed, subdued, and put to death if we are to "perfect holiness in the fear of God."

"Holiness" is preceded by the fear of God and the image of God implanted in our soul. This is a positive renovation of the whole man by the power of the Holy Spirit. The fear of God is reverential awe of all that God is.

Jesus shed His blood so that we can “draw near” to God and have a relationship with Him (John 3:16; 17:3).

Jesus came that we may see how awesome and powerful God is and that we may always have a healthy fear of Him so that we would not dare to sin against Him.