Call to Holiness
Sabbath School
First and Second Corinthians
Authentic Christian Ministry
Called to Be Holy: Living as God’s Temple
Read 2 Corinthians 6:11–7:1
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 6:11–7:1 give us a powerful picture of what a holy life looks like. Holiness is not simply about avoiding certain behaviors or following a list of religious rules. It is about belonging completely to God and allowing that relationship to shape every part of our lives.
Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians that his heart is open to them. He longs for them to respond to God with the same openness and devotion. Then he gives a strong warning: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14, KJV). His concern is that God's people should not allow relationships, influences, or commitments that pull them away from their devotion to Christ.
Why? Because we belong to God.
Paul asks, “What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” Then he gives the answer: “For ye are the temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 6:16). This is the heart of Paul's message. God's people are His temple. His presence is meant to dwell among them and within them.
Holiness Is About Who We Belong To
God's promises in verses 16–18 help us understand holiness from the right perspective. God says:
“I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16, KJV).
Notice the order. God doesn't simply say, "Clean up your life, and then I will accept you." Instead, He promises His presence: “I will dwell in them.”
Holiness begins with a relationship with God.
We don't become holy merely by trying harder. We become holy as we surrender ourselves to the One who is holy. His presence changes what we love, what we choose, how we speak, how we treat others, and what we allow into our hearts.
That is why Paul continues:
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
—2 Corinthians 7:1, KJV
God's promises are the motivation for holy living. Because He has promised to be our God, because He has promised to dwell with us, and because He calls us His people, we should desire to remove anything that interferes with our relationship with Him.
Holiness Means Separation for God
Paul's command to “come out from among them, and be ye separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17) is not a call for Christians to isolate themselves from the world. Jesus Himself spent time with sinners and called His followers to be witnesses to the world.
Rather, it is a call to be different in allegiance.
We can live among people who don't know Christ without allowing their values to become our values. We can love people without compromising our convictions. We can work, study, socialize, and serve in the world while remembering that our ultimate identity belongs to God.
Holiness asks a simple but searching question:
Does this relationship, habit, entertainment, ambition, or choice draw me closer to God—or pull me away from Him?
That question can expose areas of our lives that we might otherwise overlook.
God Wants to Dwell With Us
Perhaps the most beautiful part of this passage is God's promise:
“And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18, KJV).
Holiness isn't merely about becoming "better people." It is about becoming God's sons and daughters and living out of that relationship.
A child who knows he or she is loved by a good father doesn't obey merely because of fear. Love creates a desire to please the one who loves them.
Likewise, Christian holiness should grow from knowing that God has chosen us, redeemed us, and desires to dwell with us.
When we understand His love, we begin to see sin differently. Sin isn't merely breaking a rule—it is allowing something to interfere with our relationship with the God who loves us.
A Life That Reflects God's Presence
So what does a holy life look like?
It looks like a person who is increasingly surrendered to God. It means guarding the heart, choosing relationships wisely, turning away from practices that dishonor God, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our character.
It means our faith isn't confined to church services or Sabbath hours. God's presence affects Monday through Friday, our conversations, our entertainment, our finances, our relationships, our work, and our private thoughts.
Paul's appeal is ultimately an invitation: Since God has promised to dwell with us, let us live like people in whom God dwells.
We don't pursue holiness so God will love us. We pursue holiness because He already loves us and has called us His own.
Today, ask yourself: What is one thing in my life that I need to surrender because it is interfering with my relationship with God? Don't merely try to remove it through human effort. Bring it to God. His presence is what makes transformation possible.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the incredible promise that You desire to dwell with Your people. Thank You for calling us Your sons and daughters and for making us Your temple.
Lord, help us understand that holiness is not merely about outward behavior but about belonging completely to You. Show us the things in our lives that are pulling us away from You. Give us courage to let go of anything that dishonors You or interferes with our relationship with You.
Cleanse our hearts and minds from everything that is impure. Help us choose relationships, habits, thoughts, words, and actions that reflect Your character. May Your presence in our lives be evident to the people around us.
Thank You that we do not have to pursue holiness in our own strength. Work in us through Your Holy Spirit and make us more like Jesus each day.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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