DEVOTION – DAY 551

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Seeking Purity And Holiness”

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

In 2 Cor.6:14-18, Paul had warned the Corinthians against idolatry. Idolatry is anything that replaces God’s place in our hearts. It could be someone who spends hours in the gym trying to keep fit. It could be someone who spends all his or her time engrossed on their handphones. It could be someone who dotes on their children and spends all their time seeing to their children’s needs at the expense of some quiet time with God. When God is pushed to the fringes of our lives, we are in danger of idolatry. But if the people turn from their idolatrous ways and go back to God, God promises that He will be their God (2 Cor.6:16), God will be their Father (2 Cor.6:18).

Because of God’s promises, 2 Cor.7:1 tell Christians that the correct response is to stay away from idolatry – purify themselves, and seek holiness. Holiness means to be whole, complete – to be the person that God had planned each and every one of His children to be. Thus, Christians are to stay away from any activities that may draw them away from God because that would break their relationship with God. When that happens, they will no longer be whole and complete in the Lord. 

We know someone whose marriage was facing difficulties. Her husband had been a good provider but he fell on hard times. She began to despise her husband because her own income was more than her husband’s. She confided her marital problems with a male friend. Before long, she developed feelings for him. They began an affair that ultimately led to the end of her marriage. Instead, of turning to God to help her through her marital crisis, she turned away from God and found solace in an adulterous affair. That caused the complete breakdown of her marriage leaving her children with a broken family. She is still in the spiritual wilderness and we can only pray for her to turn back to God.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your abundant promises that you will be our God and Father. Thank you for reminding us to pursue holiness for you are holy. Please help us to stay away from all forms of idolatry and to remain close to you always. We pray this in the great name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What are some possible idols in your life today? Will you choose God first in your heart over all these “idols”?
  2. Why does God hate idolatry? Discuss.
  3. What steps have you taken to stay away from idolatry and to maintain purity in your lives? Share.
  4. How do you safeguard yourselves and your children from unwholesome web content and in social media?