II Corinthians 7:1  "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."  

Having "these promises".. the promise that God will "dwell" in us.. that He will "walk among us" and be our God;  that as we "come out" from the world and "be separate".. that He will welcome us, and "be a father to [us]"  and we are His "sons and daughters.. " 

To be separate - to be set off by boundaries.. severed from the world's ways - we must "cleanse ourselves" - purify; purge.. " all defilement" - all immorality; all filthiness; all stains, both of the body and the spirit - inside and out.   We are entreated to perfect holiness -  To perfect - fulfill further or completely - to accomplish and finish.. holiness - sacredness; blamelessness.

".. in the fear of God."  -  We will one day stand before the "judgement seat of Christ" to be "recompensed for [our] deeds in the body, according to what [we] have done, whether good or bad."  (5:10)  

James wrote of this also.. "So speak and act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.  For judgement will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment."    (James 2:12,13)  

Jesus also spoke of the time of judgement.. " And I say to you, that many shall come from the east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  Those who put their faith in Jesus are those who will be welcomed into His Kingdom.  Those who are unbelievers.. even though they considered themselves good enough.. would be left outside in the dark.. far from the true Light.

Paul is imploring his readers.. those who are believers.. to not stop running the race set before us, but to run so that we win!  We need to do that because there is a day when we will stand before our God and Savior and be judged by Him.

Have we kept ourselves clean from all defilement in body and spirit?
Have we desired and pursued holiness in all of our actions?
Have we shown mercy to others?

Father in heaven, You see me as I am... nothing hidden.I pray for Your mercy and Your grace, for  I am once again so aware of how far I fall short of Your mark.  Oh, Lord God Almighty - perfect and complete Your work of sanctification in me.. perfecting holiness, so that I may stand before You unashamed.  In all my weaknesses and failures I come in the name of my Lord Jesus, asking for Your will to be done completely in me.  Amen.