Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV

In Isaiah 64:6, praying to the Lord, the prophet likened the children of Israel to filthy rags.  Why did the prophet say that?  Because Israel had chosen to go in the way of sin rather than in the way of the Lord.  Something I wish more people recognized today is that there truly is beauty in holiness.  To be clear about this, to be holy means that one is living in a manner that is Christlike – living as a reflection of Christ the Lord.  

Yes, there is beauty in holiness!  How so?  In holiness there is love, no hate.  In holiness there is sympathy rather than apathy.  In holiness there is a helping hand rather than a hand that pushes down.  In holiness there is the truth, not lies and deceptions.  Yes, holiness is perfection and while we may not be perfect, we can at least strive to attain a form of holiness.

To strive to attain a form of holiness, Paul wrote that we should cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of “the flesh and spirit”.  That is to say we must do our very best to wash away those ways of wickedness and sin.  So, we should strive to put away our evil thoughts and our evil actions.  Why should we let the way of sin tarnish and corrupt what God created to be holy and righteous?  

Yes, God created you – all of us – to be holy and righteous, not a filthy mess.  So, let’s strive not to be so messy but to be as a reflection of the Lord.