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.

You may have heard the saying, ‘I’m not what I want to be, and I’m not what I’m going to be, but praise God, I’m not what I was.’

‘I’m not what I’m going to be.’

‘Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.’ 1 John 3:2.

In our 2 Corinthians text there is the hope that we will one day be what we’re going to be. When Jesus returns we will be like Him, and when we are perfectly in His image this will be holiness completed.

‘Sanctification’ is the name for the process all believers enter into at conversion. It is one of gradual change into the likeness of Christ. Although this process may not be fully completed in our lifetime, by the power of the Holy Spirit we can make great strides towards it.

How much holiness do you want? To a large degree, I think it is true to say that in this Christian life you get what you go in for.

‘You cannot study the Bible diligently and earnestly without being struck by an obvious fact—the whole matter of personal holiness is highly important to God!

I cannot think of even one lonely passage in the New Testament which speaks of Christ’s revelation, manifestation, appearing or coming that is not directly linked with moral conduct, faith and spiritual holiness.’ A.W. Tower.

However far we may have travelled on the Christian pilgrimage, this we can safely say: there’s more! There are higher heights and deeper depths.

Prayer: Lord, lead me on where you are going. Take me deeper into you.