Is Jerry Bridges' The Pursuit of Holiness one of the best, best books I've read on holiness? Perhaps. Probably. Especially if you make a distinction between God's holiness and our sanctification. (R.C. Sproul has a great book on the holiness of God.) How good was it? So good it was uncomfortable. As in it was a convicting, reality check. So good it was thought-provoking. So good that I think I'll need to reread it a few times so that I can absorb and digest all the insights into Christian living. So good that I'd love to read it WITH someone and discuss it.
Table of Contents:
- Holiness is For You Romans 6:14
- The Holiness of God 1 Peter 1:15-16
- Holiness is Not an Option Hebrews 12:14
- The Holiness of Christ 2 Corinthians 5:21
- A Change of Kingdoms Romans 6:6-7
- The Battle for Holiness by Romans 7:21
- Help in the Daily Battle Romans 6:11
- Obedience--Not Victory Romans 8:13
- Putting Sin to Death Colossians 3:5
- The Place of Personal Discipline 1 Timothy 4:7
- Holiness in Body 1 Corinthians 9:27
- Holiness in Spirit 2 Corinthians 7:1
- Holiness and Our Wills Philippians 2:13
- Habits of Holiness Romans 6:19
- Holiness and Faith Hebrews 11:8
- Holiness in an Unholy World John 17:15
- The Joy of Holiness Romans 14:17
Premise of the book: God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given to us the responsibility of doing the walking; He does not do that for us. (p. 14) True salvation brings with it a desire to be made holy. (p. 38)
What is holiness? To be holy is to be morally blameless. It is to be separated from sin, and, therefore consecrated to God. The word signifies "separation to God, and the conduct befitting those so separated. (p. 19) Holiness is nothing less than conforming to the character of God. (p. 26)
What is the difference between obedience and victory? Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self. (p. 21)
Does God hate sin? Because God is holy, He hates sin. Hate is such a strong word we dislike using it. Yet when it comes to God's attitude toward sin, only a strong word such as hate conveys an adequate depth of meaning. We become so accustomed to our sins we sometimes laps into a state of peaceful coexistence with them, but God never ceased to hate them. (p. 32)
Are some sins more acceptable than other sins? We cannot categorize sin if we are to live a life of holiness. God will not let us get away with that kind of attitude. (p. 23) God hates sin wherever He finds it, in saint and sinner alike. He does not hate sin in one person and overlook it in another. (p. 33)
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible
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