“The Call to Holiness!”

Introduction - (6:11-13)

“You kids pay attention…”

Key phrase: (v.13) – “I speak as to my children…”

1. Our WORDS have been UNHINDERED!

(v.11a) - “We have spoken openly to you…”

2. Our ACCEPTANCE is UNOBSTRUCTED!

(v.11b) - “…our heart has been opened wide.”

3. Our LOVE is UNRESTRICTED – (v.12)

NLT - “If there is a problem between us, it is not because of a lack of love on our part, but because you have withheld your love from us.”

I. God Commands Us to be Holy (Set Apart) in Our RELATIONSHIPS – (6:14-18)

(v.14a) – “Do not be yoked together with those who do not believe…”

What does this mean?

This is the only place this Greek word is used (‘unevenly yoked’, ‘mismatched’, or ‘being other yoked’).

The only other reference is (Deuteronomy 22:10)

Deuteronomy 22:10 CSB

10 Do not plow with an ox and a donkey together.

How far do I go in applying this command?

Why am I to avoid being unequally yoked?

A. Because of our INCOMPATIBILITY with the UNSAVED WORLD – (vv.14b-16a)

Paul proceeds to ask FIVE RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:

(v.14b) - “For what partnership (μετοχή) is there between righteousness and lawlessness?”

μετοχή (metoche) – a partnership, sharing, common interest—emphasis on the active relationship based on shared purposes more than the people involved.

(v.14c) - “Or what fellowship (κοινωνία) does light have with darkness?”

NONE! One dispels the other!

(v.15a) - “What agreement (συμφώνησις) does Christ have with Belial (worthlessness)?”

(v.15b) - “Or what does a believer have in common (μερίς - portion) with an unbeliever?”

(v.16a) - What agreement (συγκατάθεσις sun-kata-thesis) has the temple of God with idols?”

A double compound word comprised of sun, “with,” kata, “down, according to,” and thesis, “position.” Lit. “to set down a position with (someone).”

The ANSWER to all five questions is NONE!

B. Because of our POSITION and RELATIONSHIP with God – (vv.16-18)

Positionally, we are the temple (dwelling place) of the living God! – (v.16-17)

Relationally, we are the adopted children of God! – (v.18)

II. God Commands Us to be Holy in Our BEHAVIOR – (7:1)

A. Our MOTIVATION! (v.1a) - “…since we have these promises”

THREE PROMISES were given in Chapter 16:

1. God’s PRESENCE - (v.16b) - “…I will dwell and walk among them”

2. God’s WELCOME - (v.17b) - “…I will welcome you.”

3. God’s FATHERHOOD - (v.18)

B. Our RESPONSE! - (v.1b)

How do I walk in holiness?

1. It begins with REPENTANCE - “…let us cleanse ourselves”

“…from every impurity of the flesh” - Speaks to my ACTIONS!

Isaiah 59:2–3 CSB

2 But your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers, with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongues mutter injustice.

“…and spirit” - Which speaks to the core of my very BEING!

Which is the place where defilement begins!

Mark 7:15 CSB

15 Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

Mark 7:20–23 CSB

20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, 22 adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”

2. It continues through SANCTIFICATION – “…bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

1 Peter 1:13–16 CSB

13 Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. 15 But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.