Purging Filth with Pious Fear

“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).

There is one way for us to scour

The filth of sin that would adhere:

It’s by God’s promises and power

That we are purged with holy fear.

All other efforts, weak and flawed,

In our own strength are doomed to fail.

It is, at last, the fear of God

Constrained by love that will prevail.

Our noblest work to battle sin

Will find us crushed and in despair

Without the fear of God within

Reminding us that He is there.

Our God is there!  He will defend

And keep our souls from every harm.

The fear of God will, to this end,

Subdue the threat of sin’s alarm.

The fear of God is understood

As necessary in our thought

Because we know that God is good,

And, by our nature, we are not.

Lord, thank You for the holy fear

That bids us find in You protection,

Assuring us that You are near

To bring us closer to perfection.