Complete Holiness, Incomplete People

I got up this morning with the word “purity” on my mind. Yesterday, I read 2 Corinthians 6, and Paul says that purity is one of the things that prove we are sincere, authentic Christians.

‘We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.
2 Corinthians 6:6

Then, reading Deuteronomy 7, God tells Israel to completely destroy the nations he gives them, because they would lead them down the wrong path. When I moved to today’s New Testament reading, 2 Corinthians 7, the first verse jumped out at me.

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

Clearly, the Holy Spirit is guiding me toward complete holiness. Purity, understanding, patience, kindness, and sincere love- these don’t come naturally to me. I saw a clip of David Gibbs talking about Psalm 1 this morning.

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, sits in the seat of the scornful;
Psalms 1:1

He said that “counsel” means “influence.” What we see and hear influences us. We need to really pay attention to what influences us. What might defile our body and spirit? Some of the content I listen to and watch isn’t promoting purity, kindness, or sincere love; sometimes it’s the opposite. It looks like I need to stop compromising, pick up my cross, and start working towards complete holiness. I’m grateful for amazing grace, that God loves us where we are; we don’t have to clean up on our own, and the Holy Spirit directs us.