I am convinced that the first step towards attaining a higher standard of holiness is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin.– J. C. Ryle
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
17 Benefits to Reading the Entire Bible – Kristen Wetherell (FTC)
Recovering the Priority of Personal Holiness – Alistair Begg (Ligonier)
4 Essentials for Finishing Well – Jerry Bridges (Crossway)
3 Keys to Listening During Sermons – Dave Jenkins (GCD)
Positionally, we are holy because we are united with Christ. Now we must live in a manner that is consistent with this position. Personal holiness is about becoming in practice what we are in position.– Tony Merida in Exalting Jesus in Ephesians
The heart must be alive with gracious gratitude, or the leaf cannot long be green with living holiness.– Charles Spurgeon
The gospel aids our pursuit of holiness by telling us the truth about who we are. Certain sins become more difficult when we understand our new position in Christ. If we heirs to the whole world, why should we envy? If we are God’s treasured possession, why be jealous? If God is our Father, why be afraid? If we are dead to sin, why live in it? If we’ve been raised with Christ, why continue in our old sinful ways? If we are seated in the heavenly places, why act like the devil of hell? If we are loved with an everlasting love, why are we trying to prove our worth to the world? If Christ is all in all, why am I so preoccupied with myself?
– Kevin DeYoung in The Hole in Our Holiness
The same Spirit who was present at creation and caused you to be born again is at work to empower your inner person (that is, your will or heart) so that you might resist sins you couldn’t resist before and do the good things which would otherwise be impossible. Defeatist Christians who do not fight against sins because they figure they were “born this way” or “will never change” or “don’t have enough faith” are not being humble. They dishonor the Holy Spirit who strengthens us with supernatural power.
– Kevin DeYoung in The Hole in our Holiness
I recently read The Hole In Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung, a much needed book to refocus our eyes on what God has called his people to be. Here are a few good quotes to ponder and live out:
The Great Commission is about holiness. God wants the world to know Jesus, believe in Jesus, and obey Jesus. We don’t take the Great Commission seriously if we don’t help each other grow in obedience.
The faith that joins you to Christ and makes you right with God is a faith that works itself out in love.
Christians should display a consistent pattern of obedience, along with a quick habit of going to God for cleansing when they are disobedient.
Holiness is not ultimately about living up to a moral standard. It’s about living in Christ and living out of our real, vital union with him…. Our progress in the pursuit of holiness comes largely from understanding and appropriating our union with Christ.
When it comes to sanctification, it’s more important where you’re going than where you are. Direction matters more than position. Your future progress speaks louder than your present placement.
Repentance is a way of life for the holy child of God.
Regret feels bad about past sins. Repentance turns away from past sins. Regret looks to our own circumstances. Repentance looks to God.
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading to help you grow in the Lord:
23 Reasons To Be Joyful – Paul Tautges
Re-training your heart for joy.
10 Point Inventory – Steve Cornell
Ten questions to examine your heart.
How Do We Grow In Holiness – Part One and Part Two – Tim Chester
Excerpts from You Can Change – highly recommended!
The Pursuit of Holiness – Part One and Part Two – Desiring God
Discussion on video between John Piper and Kevin DeYoung
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church!
As you prepare to gather with Christ’s church tomorrow, here are some good posts to consider:
We Weren’t Created For Isolation (Short Video) – Brad House (via Crossway)
We weren’t built for isolation, we were created for community. And community isn’t ultimately about us, it’s about God. The church should be the most compelling expression of community in our culture. It should stand in contrast to the counterfeit community that costs us nothing.
The Difference Between Church as Individual Divers and Church as an Organic Body – Richard Lovelace (via Justin Taylor)
No individual, congregation or denomination of Christians is spiritually independent of the others. . . .
Church as an Oasis of Grace – Trevin Wax
Our churches ought to be filled with people who have gospel-focused conversations, where we bring the gospel to bear on every inch of life, hold one another accountable, rebuke one another in love, and encourage one another in grace.
Can I Grow in Holiness Without the Local Church? (Short Video) – David Powlison (via Desiring God)
The role the local church plays in our sanctification….
May we approach church tomorrow in a more Biblical way as we seek to worship our great God together!
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Medicine for Motivation – Kevin DeYoung (via Crossway)
Here are just some of the ways in which the Bible motivates us to pursue holiness….
A Mighty Army of Deeply Spiritual Men – John Piper (via Jared Wilson)
Where are the men with a moral vision for their families, a zeal for the house of the Lord, a magnificent commitment to the advancement of the kingdom, an articulate dream for the mission of the church and a tenderhearted tenacity to make it real?
That All The World Might Rejoice – Matthew Wynne
Open your ears O’ Church that you might hear Jesus’ call,
The call to go unto all the nations that all the world might rejoice!
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshipping our great God!
Brian J. Mikul 