“Just Ok is not Ok”, not only when it comes to wireless connections as the current television commercial asserts, but, in a greater way, when it comes to living out the Christian life.
2 Corinthians 7:1, “Therefore, 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 6:16 gives one of these promises that Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 7:1. Paul writes, “We are the temple of the living God.” It is interesting to note that pagans would worship idols because they believed that the spirit of that god inhabited that idol. They would take that idol with them, believing for their god’s protection and provision.
Compare that to the true message of Christianity. God, when we are born again, regenerated us and put His Holy Spirit within us. I AM A TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD! (Say that aloud several times). This truth is an awesome privilege and a tremendous responsibility. God’s Spirit dwells in me to, first and foremost, make me holy – perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. God’s Spirit is known by and referred to as the Holy Spirit – not the Loving Spirit, Gracious Spirit, Empowering Spirit. He is all of the latter, but the emphasis is on the former. The Holy Spirit lives in me to make me holy – set apart from sin and unto God.
The purpose of holiness is threefold. It is pleasing to God. It is the life that God created us for. It becomes a bright and directing light to a dark and lost world. Instead of carrying around an idol that represents a false god, wishing for favor in one’s life, God lives in us by His Spirit. Therefore, wherever we go, God’s presence and favor goes with us. People should sense this presence and be drawn to Jesus because of God in us and shining through us.
Paul challenges us to aim for perfection. Like the commercial says, “Just Ok is not Ok!” Too many times we settle for “ok” or “good enough” when it comes to obedience. God commands instant and complete obedience. This is showing true reverence for God.
What is contaminating your body and spirit today? Today, ”…throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1b-2). “Just Ok is not Ok!”