Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/94

Contributor - Jonathan Gerstner

Title - Finally Beloved: A Holy People

Topic - Reformed Church In Canada

Being a covenant people is the theme of our issue this month. Being a people set apart for God is a special responsibility. The Reformed Church in Canada is a holy people!

What does it mean to say that we as a fellowship are holy? Does it mean that all of us are showing in our lives the reality of a living relationship with Christ as Lord and Saviour? No, one does not have to be around our churches (or those of any Christian fellowship) long to see that there are some who, to our shame, have no knowledge of God. (I Cor. 1 5:34) Without trying to determine in every individual case where the walk with God is, one can still see it in the overall effect. "A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough." (I Cor.5:6) So also we can see the effect of individuals in the whole church leaving a sour taste in the overall life of the church. The world loves to point out the hypocrites in the church, but the church feels it even more acutely. If only we could be part of a fellowship in which every one was truly holy, knowing God as Lord and Saviour.

When we dream of having such a holy nature present in the church, we often become nostalgic for the early church of Christ and the Apostles. However, a little study of the church of the apostles' time will clear that misconception. Even among Christ's twelve apostles, one of them was a traitor. The church of the New Testament was ripped apart by those who denied basic Christian doctrine, and sexual immorality had to be disciplined in the early church too. God's holy people have always included those who know the Lord and those who are lost. The Reformed Church in Canada of 1994 can expect nothing different.

Then what does it mean to say that a church is holy? It means that each and every one of us is in covenantal relationship with God. We are set apart for Him, called to be converted and to live truly holy lives in gratitude. Many set apart for God never come to faith. Still God calls us to Himself to believe and become a changed people.

God has entered into a covenant, a two-way partnership with us. We are called to be faithful. We who take our responsibilities seriously are always called to do all we can to purify the holy people of God so that the church will be the truly holy place He deserves. As a Synod of Canada we will constantly call people to the covenantal command to draw near to God. We know that when we draw near to God, God will draw near to us. Church vitalization is, first and foremost, an increase in the proportion of truly holy people who know Christ intimately as Lord and Saviour in the covenant community of the church. When the number of those seeking God's face increases, so does worship, and outreach.

Being holy in the covenant and not responding to the Gospel puts one in a doubly perilous place. To whom much has been given, much will be required. Let us all "prepare to meet our God," knowing that meeting God is both the greatest joy for those who know Him, and the greatest sorrow for those whose relationship to Him stays on the outside alone.

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