Christ’s call to the world is not just a call to salvation. Rather, our journey through life with Christ only begins there.

As our verse says, God did not call any of us who are saved to walk in “uncleanness” – sinful and worldly ways, but rather to holiness. The Greek word for “holiness” is also translated as “sanctification.” It means a separation from the world to God.

It is always a choice as to how you as a Christian will live – whether for God or for self. God has given us many promises to help us live for Him the way He wants. Paul said, “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” (II Co. 7:1).

The Bible tells us that to Him, holiness is a beautiful and desirable quality in the believer. Three times the Bible refers to the “beauty of holiness,” as in Psalm 29:2: “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”

True holiness to God is beautiful to Him. It speaks of a heart that wants to please Him and is willing to leave off that which does not. It is like a couple in love, where each one tries to please the other. In Psalm 37:4, David tells us: “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

It is impossible to please God and live in sin. When we are willing to forsake sin and do so, then we will find that God can take delight in us and will bless.

Are you willing to live the way God wants and seek to please Him above all others? Remember that the Bible tells us: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Am. 3:3).

Most households in America know what trash day means. You have to gather the trash in your house together, put it in the trash bin, and take it to the curb so it can be picked up. All the trash needs to be removed from the house.

Once we believe on Jesus Christ and are saved, believers are the house of God. I Corinthians 3:16 tells us: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?“ God is looking for clean vessels (houses) to live in. Those are the ones that He will use and bless.

We are warned not to leave trash (sins) in our lives that “defile” us and cause Him to look elsewhere when He wants to use someone. The very next verse after the one that reveals that we are God’s temple, He warns us against defiling it – by not taking out the trash regularly. Verse 17 says: “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

By God’s grace, every believer can quickly get cleansed (having the trash removed) by going to God and confessing their sin to Him. It is our responsibility to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.”

It can be done at anytime and anywhere in prayer. It is not necessary to continue to have broken fellowship with God (which is not a loss of salvation). He has promised, in I John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

All that is needed to do is confess it and He will forgive, cleanse, and restore the sweet fellowship with Him that we know is possible. Christian, today, right now, is a good time to get the trash out. Why not do it right now?