From the World and Into Christ (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1) [Jay Thomas]

When you hear the word HOLINESS, what comes to mind? For many it conveys rigidity, fundamentalism, legalism, repression, and old-school "boomer" Christianity. One problem. Jesus is really big on holiness. The Scripture is full of calls to holiness. But, as Inigo Montoya once said: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." Holiness is a gift. It is born of grace and love. It is who we actually are as believers. Holiness is also the the reason we do or do not trust each other, not least Christian leaders who are trying to disciple the church into a holy place. Paul purposely dives into a call to holiness because the base problem of his opponents is that they are meddling with the world. They are flirting with falsehood and ungodliness, and so their relationship with Paul is breaking down. Paul is calling this church back to Jesus, the ways of Jesus, and thus back to fellowship with Him.