Recommended Read - The Pursuit of Holiness - Jerry Bridges

Let me start by saying "WOW", what a GREAT book this was. A wonderful follow up from my last read "So, you want to be like Christ?", both which God has used to bring some good change into my life. Not a book I would read through in a day, this is more of a take your time and allow things to process book. It has some very helpful suggestions on how to understand and deal with our sinful nature. Every Christian should take seriously the pursuit of holiness. The Bible tells us that without holiness we will never see the Lord on the other side of this life! We don't become stronger Christians of the faith because we attend a Church, or say a little prayer and once in awhile read a Scripture or two. We become stronger Christians when we pursue holiness with the help of the Holy Spirit. The word pursue suggests two thoughts: first, that diligence and effort are required; and second, that it is a lifelong task (pg.11). We can't do it on our own, but God has granted us everything needed to attain a holy life this side of heaven, praise God for that! So go buy this book! You will love it! Keep pressing, keep praying, and keep pursuing holiness!

From page 81:
We need to brace ourselves up and to realize that we are responsible for our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. We need to reckon on the fact that we died to sin's reign, that it no longer has any dominion over us, that God has united us with the risen Christ in all His power, and has given us the Holy Spirit to work in us. Only as we accept our responsibility and appropriate God's provisions will we make any progress in our pursuit of holiness.

He also notes, and I agree that no one can pursue holiness who is not prepared to obey God in every area of his life (pg.136).

And lastly the author notes because we do not have a firm conviction that "without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14), we do not seriously pursue holiness as a priority in our lives (pg.142).

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

Formula: How to Know Right from Wrong

I must say the book "The pursuit of holiness" is a must read for all Christians! Without a doubt, once cracking this book your life will start to process of pursuing holiness. Reading this and wanting anything else would be like drinking raw egg and loving the taste!?! Today I read chapter 9 and wanted to share a portion of it which talks about how to know right from wrong. I loved it so much I HAD to share! Drum roll please!

Formula: How to Know Right from Wrong. The formula asks four questions based on three verses in 1 Corinthians:

"'Everything is permissible for me' - but not everything is beneficial"(1 Corinthians 6:12).
Question 1: Is it helpful - physically, spiritually, and mentally?

"'Everything is permissible for me' - but I will not be mastered by anything"(1 Corinthians 6:12)
Question 2: Does it bring me under its power?

"Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall"(1 Corinthians 8:13)
Question 3: Does it hurt others?

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"(1 Corinthians 10:31)
Question 4: Does it glorify God?

As simple as this formula may appear, it is powerful in developing conviction - if we are willing to use it. These questions can get rather searching. But they must be asked if we are to pursue holiness as a total way of life.**

**The pursuit of holiness by Jerry Bridges (Pg.88)

Keep pursuing holiness Church! We can do it with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us!

Saved without holiness?? Can it be?

This is a sort of a part II post to my last blog entry titled "As a Christian can I "Opt" out of that?". I must say this book I've been reading has so much meat, I can see why its been around for 20 years. Ever tried to tackle a 24oz steak in one meal...I'd imagine you would feel like a little blue oompa after you where done. That's kinda like how this book is, not one that you would blow through in one day, you might miss the point.

Today I want to post a portion of chapter 3 which is titled "Holiness is not an option".

The whole purpose of our salvation is that we be "holy and blameless in his sight" (Ephesians 1:4). To continue to live in sin as a Christian is to go contrary to God's very purpose for our salvation. Holiness, then, is not necessary as a condition of salvation - that would be salvation by works - but as a part of salvation that is received by faith in Christ.

Therefore, we may say that no one can trust in Jesus Christ for true salvation unless he trusts in Him for holiness. This does not mean the desire for holiness must be a conscious desire at the time a person comes to Christ, but rather it means that 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.

Holiness also is necessary for our assurance of salvation - not at the moment of salvation, but over the course of our lives. True faith will always show itself by its fruits. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The only safe evidence that we are in Christ is a holy life. John said everyone who has within him the hope of eternal life purifies himself just as Christ is pure (1 John 3:3). Paul said, "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14). If we know nothing of holiness, we may flatter ourselves that we are Christians but we do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.

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?

It is not those who profess to know Christ will will enter heaven, but those whose lives are holy. Even those who do "great Christian works" will not enter heaven unless they also do the will of God.** Jesus said,

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23)

No need for me to add to that, the book itself is very clear for us to understand a little more why holiness is not an option for us Christians!

Hebrews 12:14 says:
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Keep pressing, keep praying, keep looking for holiness in your walk!

**The pursuit of holiness by Jerry Bridges (pg. 33,34,37,38)

As a Christian can I "Opt" out of that???

What I'm referring to is the holiness that God demands from His children. Are we not suppose to be set apart, different then this world? If our faith has not changed us, can it really save us?

I've started a new book titled "The pursuit of holiness" by Jerry Bridges. It's kind of a follow up from the last book that I read "So, You want to be like Christ?", this book going a little deeper. I'm only in chapter 2, but it's making me think. I wanted to share a part of the book with you. This gave me understanding if I'm able to opt out of this demand called holiness.

(Page 21)

God has called every Christian to a holy life. There are no exceptions to this call. It is not a call only to pastors, missionaries, and a few dedicated Sunday school teachers. Every Christian of every nation, whether rich or poor, learned or unlearned, influential or totally unknown, is called to be holy. The Christian plumber and the Christian banker, the unsung homemaker and the powerful head of state are all alike called to be holy.

This call to a holy life is based on the fact that God Himself is holy. Because God is holy, He requires that we be holy. Many Christians have what we might call a "cultural holiness." They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them. As the Christian culture around them is more or less holy, so these Christians are more or less holy. But God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like Himself. Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God.*

*The pursuit of holiness by Jerry Bridges (pg 21)

So, may today be a new day as we Christians pursue holiness. The holiness that God demands of us. As I posted awhile ago, are you seeing a different pattern of living as you become more like Christ? Reflection of change, do you see it?

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

Keep pressing, keep praying, keep pursuing holiness!!