Choosing the right things for the right reasons

This morning in my reading I came to 2 Corinthians 7. In this chapter the very first verse finishes the thoughts of the last six chapters and then Paul changes topics and goes in an entirely different direction. It's as if this first verse is the conclusion of six chapters of exhortation and admonition and then, when the application is given, Paul is finished with the "sermon" and is on to other thoughts. Here's the verse, and then my own thoughts-

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2Co 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

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God is amazing. He provides all the tools we need, everything that will help us live the Christian life, and then in one short admonition gives us the goal of all these tools- holiness. God wants his children to live holy lives. Lives that look different than the world around us. But, sadly, we are in a day when it's hard to tell the difference between a child of God and a child of the world. We look just like the world around us. God had no such intention when he sent Christ to save us and give us his life. His design was to create a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), something completely different. A man or woman who looks like Christ. The problem is that as humans we imitate what we focus on, and almost everyone is focused on the world around us, the media, the celebrity, the hero...few are focused on Christ. We imitate what we focus on and that presents a sad commentary for the church today. We look like the world. But God's provision was made so that we would be not only Christ followers, but Christ imitators....walking in love, truth and kindness.

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Here's how Peter described it in his letter-

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2Peter 1:3 Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received!

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Peter clarifies the solution. We become what we focus on, who we hang out with. For the Christian the goal has always been to become like Christ, but many in our day tell me they just want to be happy! They will walk away from obedience to Christ and following him to be "happy?" I have told them, and will repeat it here- you will not find happiness by disobeying God. It's just not there. Ultimate fulfillment and the goal of our lives is to know Christ, both personally and intimately, and by that relationship become like him. We become like the company we keep. Do you want to please God? Spend time with him, get to know who he is, what he's like, how he responds to choices.....and you will begin to look like him. You will begin to do the right things for the right reasons. There is no happiness like this. There no other way to live that will be as fulfilling as knowing him, following him and becoming like him. My desire is to so look like Christ in how I live and act that the world will notice I'm different. We are in a time when a real Christ follower will be noticed if they really are following HIM.

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