2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
Introduction:
1. Another key element of living upright in an upside-down world is our pursuit of holiness in a culture given to immorality.
2. The pressures of culture always present tremendous challenges to this effort.
3. We cannot acquiesce to cultural trends that militate against God’s will (Romans 12:2).
Discussion:
I. Spiritual Incompatibility
A. Many professed Christians try to hold hands with God and the world all at once; this has been so from early on as evidenced by the epistles written to correct such.
B. Israel fell into the same trap (1 Kings 18:20-24; Isaiah 1; Jeremiah 7:4-10).
C. Paul asked a series of rhetorical questions of the Corinthians to highlight the total incompatibility of such attempts to straddle the fence (2 Corinthians 6:14-16; cf. James 4:4).
II. The Chief Pursuit: Holiness
A. Though using a different word (2 Corinthians 6:17), Paul’s command to be separate from their unholy peers is a call to be holy (Gr. hagios: set apart from common Mounce).
B. This is God’s consistent demand (Leviticus 11:44; 19:2; Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2:9-12).
C. No one will see God apart from this pursuit (Hebrews 12:14; cf. Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:1-3).
III. Uprooting the Problem
A. So often the symptoms are treated, but the root is left to regrow later.
B. To live holy lives in an immoral world, we must yield our hearts to Him (Luke 6:45).
1. This demands we trust God’s wisdom above man’s (Jeremiah 17:5-10; James 3:13-18).
2. To do this, we must learn from Him and renew our minds (John 6:44-45; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:17-24; Colossians 3:9-10).
3. Such renewal enables hardened hearts to yield (2 Corinthians 7:1; James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:5-9).
Conclusion:
1. Upright living in an upside-down world demands holiness despite immoral peers.
2. Whatever the cost now, it is worth it in eternity as without this we cannot see God.
Further Food for Thought
1. What peer pressures challenge your pursuit of holiness the most?
2. Is there a way to escape the source of this pressure? Would you remove it if so?
3. If inescapable, how can we help fortify you to conquer that pressure?