A little inspiration from re-reading The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges this morning:
. . . . . .
The more we ourselves grow in holiness, the more we hate sin.
Hebrews 12:14 [says] "make every effort...to be holy."
The writer of Hebrews is telling us to take seriously the necessity of personal, practical holiness.
"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord."
Hebrews 12:14
When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives at our salvation, He comes to make us holy in practice.
It is true that this desire for holiness may be only a spark at the beginning. But that spark should grow till it becomes a flame - a desire to live a life wholly pleasing to God. True salvation brings with it a desire to be made holy. The Holy Spirit who creates within us saving faith also creates within us the desire for holiness. He simply does not create one without the other.
God does not require a perfect, sinless life to have fellowship with Him, but He does require that we be serious about holiness,
that we grieve over sin in our lives instead of justifying it, and that we earnestly pursue holiness as a way of life.
True faith will always show itself by its fruits.
Everyone, then, who professes to be a Christian should ask himself,
"Is there evidence of practical holiness in my life?"
"Do I desire and strive after holiness?"
"Do I grieve over my lack of it and earnestly seek the help of God to be holy?"
God has provided all we need for our pursuit of holiness. He has delivered us from the reign of sin and given us His indwelling Holy Spirit. He has revealed His will for holy living in His Word, and He works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life
through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
2 Peter 1:3
"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness."
Romans 8:26
Surely He has not commanded us to be holy without providing the means to be holy. If you [choose to pursue holiness],
you will experience the fullness of joy which Christ has promised to those who walk in obedience to Him.
-Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness
"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written,
'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
1 Peter 1:15-16
"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
These things I have spoken to you, that my JOY may be in you, and that your JOY may be full."
John 15:10-11
"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written,
'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
1 Peter 1:15-16
"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
These things I have spoken to you, that my JOY may be in you, and that your JOY may be full."
John 15:10-11
