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Pastor's Blog September 19, 2019
"The Completion of Holiness"
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Did you know that holiness can be perfected or completed? In 2 Corinthians 7:1, we are confronted with the startling truth: "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God" (ESV). This is an astounding thought, both in what is expressed in this passage and in how Paul uses it in his letter. Contextually, Paul is talking about the need for renewed affection between himself and the Corinthians; we're not entirely sure what Paul means, but most New Testament scholars believe Paul and the Corinthian believers had experienced some sort of falling out, with Paul now trying to reconcile with them.
Part of the reason Paul talks about completing or perfecting holiness in 2 Corinthians 7:1 is because holiness, as far as he was concerned, is supposed to characterize all Christian relationships - especially those between Christians. Theologically, Paul highlights holiness as the motivation and the goal of the Christian life. Paul suggests that the manifold promises of God are our motivation for living a life with God (i.e., a holy life); and likewise, the ultimate goal of living life with God is holiness. But Paul isn't interested in just any of the numerous promises God gives us in the Bible. Second Corinthians 6:16-18 details the kind of promises Paul has in mind: God will dwell with us, walk among us (both inside us individually and in our midst corporately), be our God, and claim us as his people (v. 16); God will welcome us as his people when we separate ourselves from those things and those realities that define us as being in opposition and rebellion against God (v. 17); and God will be a father to us and we will be his sons and daughters (v. 18).
It is only in light of the kind of relationship God initiates with us - that he is our God and we are his people, he is our father and we are his children - that we can start to pursue holiness. And this holiness is brought to completion or even perfected in our lives by us staying in relationship with God. The holiness God begins in our lives will assuredly and eventually be brought to completion and fullness. I hope this thought encourages and informs the time you spend worshiping the Lord.
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
