Good exhortations

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

[See today’s text, 2 Corinthians 6:3 - 7:1.  For NIV, click here; for The Message, click here.]

OK, here are some things we just wouldn’t do ...

We wouldn’t paint a mustache on the Mona Lisa.  We wouldn’t pry open a paint can with Napoleon’s sword.  We wouldn’t pass the original Declaration of Independence around in show-and-tell.  We wouldn’t carry our Mickey Mantle rookie card around in our wallets.  We wouldn’t doodle on ancient manuscripts or draw that little “Kilroy was here” guy in the Book of Kells!

Each of these things (except for Kilroy!) represents human excellence and we protect them not only for their intrinsic value, but also to honor and preserve their inspiration to society.  Introduce just one little flaw, and their worth and impact can only diminish.

Every single one of us is priceless in God's eyes – to the point that he took on human form for a time so to offer his life in payment for ours.  No other currency, regardless of amount, would do!  We are far more valuable than any artifact of human triumph.  Why, then, would we taint ourselves – devalue ourselves – and diminish our influence in a world that searches for spiritual hope, truth, freedom and authenticity?

That’s what Biblical exhortations are for: to keep us from “contaminating body and spirit,” so to “perfect holiness out of reverence for God.”  They are the museum ropes that keep us from ruining the celestial masterpiece of Christ painted in us, the encasements that preserve ancient words written on our hearts.  Exhortations preserve the priceless.

Sometimes we bristle at Biblical directives, perhaps because we don’t understand or appreciate their importance.  Or because they conflict with our wills.  Or because we perceive them as taking away our freedoms.  In 2 Corinthians 6, for instance, Paul says “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.  For ... what fellowship can light have with darkness?”  And quoting Isaiah, he adds, “’Therefore come out from them and be separate’, says the Lord. (Isaiah 52:11)”

He did not present this a means to become righteous, for Jesus himself is our righteousness.  Nor was he suggesting we smugly insulate ourselves at the members-only “Country Club at the Cross.”  No, Paul saw only this: We who are in Christ are one in him and one with each other in him.  And when we, his body, live in the purity of the Spirit, the world finds in us the treasures it seeks for itself: truth, hope, love, peace and joy.  Make no mistake: others see Christ in his people and through his people.  That’s what drew me to him; that’s what drew you to him.  And we are now among those through whom he reaches the world around us. 

So let us open ourselves – today and every today – to Paul’s exhortation to purity.  For Christ shines through his church a warm glow that draws all who see it and fills all who accept it.