Out of Reverence for God

In the last few years it seems the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) finally seems to have gotten serious about cracking down on the use of perfomance enhancing drugs in the Tour de France and other cycling races. Members of the International Cycling Union (UCI) have grown accustomed to being confronted randomly, anywhere or anytime for a specimen to be used in drug testing. Last year the Tour was as close to a "clean" race as it ever has been. But why it that? Many cyclists race clean just because they know it's what's best for themselves and for the sport of cycling. But some avoid doping only out of fear of being caught. And a few still look for ways to use performance enhancing drugs without getting caught.

In 2 Corinthians 7:1 Paul writes: "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." In these words Paul is calling on Christians to live "clean", not because we might get caught if we don't do so, but "out of reverence for God." Our motivation is not like the cyclist's fear of a two year suspension, or the loss of sponsors and endorsements if their reputation is destroyed. Our motivation is as Paul puts it, "Since we have these promises." What promises? The great and wonderful promises of God's grace and glory, the forgivness of our sins, being God's own sons and daughters, and sharing in his glory eternally.

And what is our aim? Not just an effort to not get caught. Not even just a sincere effort to do our best. Our aim is perfection. Paul says we need to be "perfecting holiness" in our daily living. Of course we will always fall short during our life here on earth, but we must aim for perfection nevertheless, knowing that the grace of God in Christ Jesus covers all our failures.

As I read Paul's words I thought of the words of a DC Talk song from a few years ago, "In the Light." The lyrics say this:

The disease of self runs through my blood
It's a cancer fatal to my soul
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring this sickness under control
Tell me, what's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior

Yes, even with our best efforts we will still be in need of a Savior. Nevertheless, we strive for perfection out of reverence for God and to his glory.