"Be Holy": flawed practice vs. absolute truth

Across the centuries countless peeps have been set back in their Spiritual journey because the church has been subject to flawed practices. It is quite common for me to be engaged with young people who have walked away from Christianity because they have been disillusioned or hurt by the failures of the church in difficult times in their life.  I am not chastising the church because its not perfect, but I am calling out to individuals to not be drawn away from God's Truth because the messenger is not perfect. Do not reject Truth because the practice is flawed.

My pet peeve example is what I believe to be the church's Institutional Imperative to preach "progressive sanctification." The idea that one must collaborate with God to complete "sanctification," to advance in Holiness, is not the Gospel truth. Verses like 1 Peter 1: 15 where we are exalted to "be Holy as God is Holy" takes on the progressive nature because pastors are stuck in this box about us needing to "grow in Christ."  I know it feels like the Christian walk is a work in progress, but when did "feeling like" define truth. The result of preaching "progressive sanctification" is not freedom, joy and hope. It keeps Christians wondering what's wrong with them, why can't they get free from sin, why can't they be more joyful, why so much despair?

Suppose "definitive sanctification" explained "be Holy"? Maybe "be Holy" simply means be what you are, not become something you aspire to be. It seems to me Jesus goes to great length to explain to us the privileges and provision of His Kingdom. He wants us to know we are IN when we receive Him. We don't have a training period where we have to grow to receive ALL He has to offer. Why does the church have to make us feel that way?

Its not because pastors and theologians are stupid or are intentionally trying to deceive the flock. Its because the human imperative of Social Exchange has so much influence on human sense-making that without us knowing it, it is so difficult to explain to others that Grace completely transforms us. Nothing left for us to do but live it out. "Be Holy" is not a goal to attain, it is a statement of Truth about us encouraging us to be what we are.

To "be Holy" is to in faith appropriate the sanctifying Grace we have been given, not to partner with God to beat the sin out of us, to become something we have yet to attain.

My hearts desire is for Kingdom Dwellers to live from the privileges and provisions of an adopted child of God, not to be constantly feeling like the orphan they used to be. Anything that constrains our joy, freedom, significance, and hope is flawed practice. Truth produces good fruit.