Theme: God's unfinished children

Exegetical note
The writer here is probably countering the Gnostic belief that was circulating in the early church that saving knowledge (gnosis) brought instant perfection. Verse 2 here makes it clear that, while Christians are indeed God's children now, they are in a sense "unfinished," for their ultimate destiny is to be like Christ Jesus at the parousia. Meanwhile, says the following verse, hope purifies the believer.

Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 34)
Leader: Let us bless Go…