2 Timothy 2:21
“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”
When we accept Jesus into our lives, we receive the profound gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit. We are invited from that moment into a relationship with Jesus and called to be a part of expanding His kingdom here on earth. As we welcome the truth of the gospel to soak into our hearts and minds, we need to be strategic about removing the things of the world such as sinful habits, toxic thoughts and behaviors that are not honorable to the Lord. The question is- how do we do that? How do we cleanse our temple so that we can be set apart and holy, ready for every good work? Well, Paul goes on to explain in 2 Timothy how to do that:
“So, flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” (2 Timothy 2:22–24)
This journey of pursuing righteousness can feel lonely and hard. That is why we need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and we need to be connected in our church community. Cleaning out the temple of our lives truly involves intentional living and pressing into God in order to hear from Him clearly and to act according to what He is speaking. The Holy Spirit meets us in activities like prayer, worship and reading/studying the Bible illuminating the Word of God and speaking to our hearts the truth of who He is and what pleases Him. This can be as easy as praying and asking the Lord to remove thought patterns and desires that are unclean and as complicated as removing the proximity of certain people and relationships that have been in your life since before you were saved and pursuing Jesus.
No matter the difficulty, choosing Jesus and pursuing holiness is not only worth it, it is deeply satisfying and brings peace that surpasses all understanding.
Listening Prayer:
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas that need cleansing in your life. Ask Him to highlight habits and environments that draw you away from God’s holiness. Ask Him to show you any areas of your life that are hindering the good works that He has for you. Have Him show you strategies for moving forward in a path toward holiness rather than where you were before.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you that you make me clean, that through the sacrifice of Jesus that you see me as holy and righteous. I pray that you would cleanse me and remove from me every way that does not bring you glory. I give you permission to examine my daily routines and habits and highlight the areas of my life that are not clean and that do not bring you glory. Cleanse this temple Lord, prepare me and ready me for your good works, In Jesus name, Amen
Resources: Bible Verses on Holiness as a Believer:
Leviticus 11:44
“For I am the Lord your God, therefore and be holy for I am holy.”
1Peter 1:15-16
“But as He who called you is holy; you should also be holy in all you do.”
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
1 John 3:3
“And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
Worship Songs: