of God the Father, who, in His Anointed, has reconciled us to
with God is mentioned, let us remember that holiness must be the binding force. It is not by the merit of our own holiness that we attain communion with Him; rather, we must first cleave to Him, allowing His holiness to permeate our being as we obediently follow His call. Yet, it is of utmost importance for His glory that He has no fellowship with wickedness and impurity. Thus, He proclaims to us that this is the very purpose of our divine calling—a purpose that we should continually hold in reverence if we truly wish to respond to God's call. For what purpose were we rescued from the darkness and defilement of the world in which we were once submerged, if we persist in indulging in them throughout our lives? Furthermore, we are reminded that if we desire to be recognized as the Lord's chosen people, we must dwell in the holy city of Jerusalem, a city consecrated to His name. It would be impious for its inhabitants to defile its sacred precincts with impurity. Therefore, the psalmist's words resound with wisdom and truth: "Who shall abide in your tabernacle? Who shall dwell in your holy hill? He who walks uprightly and works righteousness" (Psalm 15:1-2; Psalm 24:3-4). Surely, the sanctuary in which our God resides should never resemble an unclean stable; instead, it ought to reflect the splendor of purity and righteousness.
3. To awaken our hearts, the Scriptures graciously unveil the image of God the Father, who, in His Anointed, has reconciled us to Himself and imprinted His divine likeness upon us. He beckons us to conform to this image, for it is our true identity (Romans 5:4). Come, then, and show me a philosopher who can present a more exceptional system—one that rivals the moral philosophy of Scripture, beautifully arranged and harmonious. For when these philosophers strive to inspire virtue, their exhortations merely urge us to live in harmony with nature. But Scripture draws its exhortations from a far deeper wellspring of truth. It not only commands us to order our lives in relation to God, their rightful Author, but it also reveals our fallen state, estranged from our true origin—the law of our Creator. And yet, it graciously proclaims that Christ, through whom we have been reconciled to God, stands before