C. The Influence of the Will of God. 2 Corinthians 6:1-7:4
1. The ministry of learning.
2. The ministry of knowing.
3. The ministry of willing service.
a. Willing to know doctrine. This is truth. What it is.
b. Willing to teach doctrine. This is the application of truth. What it means.
c. Willing to live doctrine. This is the method to use the knowledge. How it works
1). Steadfast in the Lord. 6:3-10 – and he also exhorted the Corinthians to also be steadfast in the Lord.
2). Separated unto the Lord. 6:11-18

3). Sanctified unto the Lord. 7:1

2 Corinthians 7:1 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.

a). Righteousness of man is unacceptable to God.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
But, God has provided –
b). Righteousness of Jesus satisfied the just demands of God.

(1). His active obedience. Absolute obedience and holiness.

Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

(2). His passive obedience. He yielded Himself to the death on the cross.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

He has made each believer holy before God.

Hebrews 10:5-10 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

This is our position – we are “…in Christ…”
This being stated – what does Hebrews 12:14 refer to?
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Our responsibility!
It cannot refer to positional holiness – it must refer to practical holiness!
The problem – we immediately begin to make excuses because we now know God’s expectation – “Do you mean that God expects me to live a holy life”? The answer is YES, and we go all negative as we imagine the list of prohibitions that face us now. Do not get hysterical – let’s look at this holiness.

c). Righteousness of the believer brings glory to God.

(1). The believer is a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Positional)
(2). The believer is equipped by God to live a holy life. (Practical)

1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

(3). The believer is educated by God and enabled to live this life.

John 14:15-17 If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

d). Righteousness of the believer is commanded. It is required for –

(1). Fellowship with God.

Ephesians 1:12-15 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
(Negative)
Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

(2). Personal wellbeing.

Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

1 Corinthians 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

(3). Effective service.

2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Negative)
(4). Assurance of salvation. Galations 5:22,23

1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Is there evidence of practical holiness in my life. Remember Matthew 7:21-23