Read: II Corinthians 6:14-7:7
Think: Paul quotes Leviticus, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and II Samuel in today’s reading! In three concise, powerful verses, he is providing a scriptural foundation for his request that the believers live in purity and holiness. Corinth was a crazy culture. The standards for men and women in that culture were as low as you could go! Paul’s instruction for the believers were rooted in the Old Testament. He wrote, “For we are the Temple of the living God. As God said: ‘I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’”
Act: Paul was like a parent to the church in Corinth. He realized that many were immature in the faith and some had no understanding of how the Old Testament prophesied how Jesus would come and walk among us and live in us by His Holy Spirit. He used the Old Testament to teach the early church about the living God who was both protective and parental. How does today’s reading make you feel about your relationship with God, other believers, and unbelievers? Is there anything (or anyone) in your life from which God might be asking you to separate? How difficult will this be for you? Who could you ask to help you make the changes needed to live a life more honoring to God? Paul reminds us to “work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”
Pray: Dear Lord, Your Word constantly reminds me to be on guard, live with a fine balance of caution and abandon! Show me, today, how to be a temple for You, the living loving God. Fill me up, Lord, with an extra measure of your Holy Spirit. I need You. Amen.
Be full of faith today!
