Can We Be Holy?

What could be a higher promise than Peter's amazing declaration that we "may participate in the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4)? Christ comes to live in us bringing into our spirits the very nature of God.

We are invited to experience the delight of inner communion, the "fellowship of the Holy Spirit," Paul assures us (2 Corinthians 13:13).

"My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people" (Ezekiel 37:27). Here is His promise to dwell within us!

Then Paul made a profound observation: "Since we have these promises [of God dwelling with us], dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (2 Corinthians 7:1).

Paul is saying, "God will make us holy," but as he later wrote to Timothy, we are to "train [ourselves] to be godly" (1 Timothy 4:7). Becoming the dwelling of the Spirit is a cooperative effort.

God said, "I am the Lord, who makes you holy" (Ex. 31:13), and yet we read "Make every effort...to be holy" (Heb. 12:14). Paul wrote "Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 13:14) but also instructed the Ephesians, "You are light in the Lord. Live as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8). God makes us holy, but we receive His holiness through faith and obedience.

Thank You, Father, for making a way for us to live holy lives so we can fellowship with You.

"For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people'" (2 Corinthians 6:16).