I love having a garden. There's nothing better than being able to walk out to my back yard and pick a fresh tomato or maybe a few beans for dinner. But it's also a lot of work. It takes constant attention and if I'm not diligent, the weeds will take over and choke out the plants in which I've invested so much of my time. The Christian walk takes work too. If not constantly tended, the weeds of unholiness can take over and choke out the fruit of the Spirit.
After ending chapter six with one of God's most beautiful promises, "And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me." (2 Cor. 6:18), Paul explains what this promise should motivate us to do. "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (v. 1)
To become holy is to become more like Jesus, to be separate for God. It's a conscious decision to let the Holy Spirit transform us from the inside out. And it's also a daily commitment to work hand in hand with God to remove from our lives all filthiness that keeps us from having a close intimate relationship with Him. Filthiness from both our minds and bodies.
1 Peter 1:15 tells us, "Like the Holy One who called you, be Holy yourselves also in all your behavior." God calls us to be holy. Out of a genuine love and respect for Him and fear of the consequences of our sin, we should each day search ourselves for areas that need cleansing. And although it takes work and repentance, we can have power over the filthiness in our lives. When Jesus died on the Cross, the hold sin had over us was defeated. And when it is in our hearts to truly be obedient to God, He promises us victory over every temptation thrown our way. "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13)
Perfecting holiness is possible when we are willing to put in the work. Each day is a new opportunity to weed out the bad and only allow things into our lives that are pleasing to God. And by cleansing ourselves from all filthiness not only are we paying reverence to our Father in heaven, we become, "a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work." (2 Tim. 2:21)