Evening — May 3 — 2 Corinthians 7:1

Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. — 2 Corinthians 7:1The indicative comes first—“we have these promises”—and the imperative flows from it. We do not become holy to be loved; we are loved, so we pursue holiness. Christ is our sanctification, and the Spirit works in us what pleases the Father. The fear of God here is not terror—it is the reverence of a child who does not want to grieve the Father who saved him.