The Desire and the Power to Become Holy

2 Corinthians 7:1

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

When we accept Jesus into our lives, we are sure to find that we are in bondage to one or more things that are of the world and not entirely pleasing to God.  Once we receive the Holy Spirit, we will be lead into a process of shedding those things that the Lord deems unworthy.  We will discover that we will not be able to change all things in our lives instantly, nor completely.  Through faith, however, we will be able to confidently begin the process of shedding our fleshly bonds one at a time as the Holy Spirit convicts and strengthens us.

We can be certain that the work of sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  It is wholly the work of the Holy Spirit and not a work that we will pursue on our own.  We can be just as certain that for the Holy Spirit to work in us that we will need to surrender to the perfecting process.  It will be particularly important that we position ourselves through prayer and the study of God's Holy Word onto a path of faith that allows us to live soberly, righteously and holy until the end of our days.

If we are steadfast in pursuing and surrendering to a path of sanctification, we will be benefactors of the strength of Jesus Christ and the assistance of His Holy Spirit.  We will be enabled to perform acts of holiness and religious duty in fear of God.  It will not be because of a fear of hell and damnation, but will be because of a reverential love and affection for Our Heavenly Father and a deep and complete trust in Him.

Let us bring holiness to completion in our lives.  Let us surrender to the work of sanctification that only the Holy Spirit can provide. Let us rejoice in knowing that this is all made possible through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing Your wisdom so that we may understand Your ways and learn to live in awesome reverence of who You are.  We pray that You will open our eyes so that we can see all the ways in our lives that displease You.  Convict us of our sinful nature.  Prepare a path for us to walk in the process of sanctification aided by the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Lord, may we learn to lean on the Holy Spirit so that we may live soberly, righteously and holy.  By Your grace, Father, and by the strength of Christ and the assistance of the Holy Spirit may we be delivered from our sinful lives.  May the world know us by the fullness of Jesus Christ within us.  We ask all these things in the name of the One who gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases You, Your Son, Jesus Christ.