“The Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges focuses primarily on God’s holiness and how all of God’s children should live their lives always making an effort to be holy. Bridges states that everyone is called to be holy. It is important for Christians to pursue holiness. Similarly, God does not force anyone to be holy. It is up to each individual to decide for themselves to follow God and be holy. Although it is, in fact, every person’s individual decision to choose to be holy, one cannot become holy without God’s help. Holiness does not begin with one’s self, but instead with God. Understanding this is the first step in pursuing holiness. Bridges gives three reasons as to why Christians struggle with being holy. First of all, followers of …show more content…
Unfortunately, sometimes it can be challenging to understand what God means by the word ‘holy.’ Christians are not called to be like those around them, but instead, they are called to be holy like God. At times, people have trouble deciphering right from wrong. However, with God’s help, knowing the right thing to do is uncomplicated. Frequently, when hard times come, people blame God and begin to believe that he is not holy. Obviously, God is always holy, and he has a reason behind everything he does. Bridges also explains that unholy acts and thoughts do not go unseen and are not ignored by God. Therefore, it is important for Christians to be holy in all they …show more content…
Unfortunately, Satan uses this as a ploy to convince Christians that because they are sinful, they are unworthy of being holy. At times like these, it is important to turn to God. The best example of holiness is Christ’s life itself. By living a sinless life, Jesus has shown his followers what a holy life should look like. At times, Christians help others and do good deeds to gain admiration and rewards rather than to glorify God. It is not considered being holy if the intentions are
Contrary to popular belief, there is not so much a “war on Christianity” as there is a war on the first amendment by the religious and atheists. However, if we are to have this discussion properly, we must assert which is better for moral and ethical teaching. Paul Kurtz in his article, Atheism Teaches Morality and Ethics, argues from the view that—though it is quite obvious from the title—atheism is the best source for these teachings; Stephen J. Pope argues from the opposite view in his article, Only Religion Can Teach Morality and Ethics. Although I do not believe either writer quite gets it right, these two present quality perspectives from both sides of the aisle.
Holiness is “the presence or character of God reflected especially in the quality of human beings’ moral and spiritual lives, while “sanctification”: is the process by which human being are made holy” (p. 79, Campbell and Burns). Wesley believed that there is an inward and outward holiness. Inward holiness is when the individual seek to reflect God’s love in their live. Outward holiness is reflection of God’s love as witness to other people. Holiness is the normal state of being that a person is trying to return to. Sanctification is the process in which a person seeks to obtain holiness. Holiness is a deep intense personal relationship with God’s love.
At the end of Jesus’ sermon he stated, “Be perfect therefore just as your heavenly father is perfect.”(Matthew 5 verse 48). When Jesus stated to be perfect, Jesus did not mean to be some type of big time over achiever or to have a perfect patty attitude. The point Jesus was trying to make was to stop comparing yourself to others. When people decide to put themselves in competition with others or compare themselves to others that will lead them to a path of false sense of righteousness. Jesus wants us to learn a lesson from his “to be perfect” statement. Jesus understands that no one is 100% perfect out here. There is also a chance where there can be an individual that is morally challenged than what you might be. In the end in God’s vision there is room for improvement in God’s perfection.
Intention and action for the sake of others can only be one part of what makes a good person, one must also be in harmony with God’s will in order to attain grace. Jesus illustrates what such goodness looks like in his parable of giving to the poor, “ But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew, pg. 177). Reciprocity of action and intent for the sake of another is not in itself sufficient for goodness in Jesus’ eyes, according to him you must go beyond reciprocity and do things for their own sake in order to reach the favor of
...tle. Which is, “THAT YE SIN NOT”? What the Scripture is saying here in verse 1 is that if by any reason you should fall into sin, because of the lack of consecration and watchfulness you do not have to remain in the state of sin. God will grant unto you by His mercy another opportunity to be redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ, for the removing of your sins. Jesus is the advocate for those who fall in the temptation of their flesh and sin. The word advocate in the Greek parakletos, pronounced par-ak’-lay-tos, meaning an intercessor, counselor: comforter. Jesus Christ is represented as the mediator that counsels you unto strength, showing you the way back unto God. Once you have returned unto the Father, He will comfort you and keep you, only if you allow Him. The Lord will never console you in the state of your sins, for He finds no pleasure in you sinning.
In The Pursuit of Holiness, the author, Jerry Bridges, shows the Christian what it looks like to be truly holy. Holiness is to live a life of conformity to God’s will. Holiness is a joint effort between God and his people, it is not something God just gives us when we accept Him into our lives. Many times Christians neglect the responsibility we have of moving towards God and pursuing holiness. Holiness is not something that is fully attainable, it is a constant pursuit to be like God.
The Christian Sci-Fi novel, Out of the Silent Planet, was written by the British theologian, author, and professor C.S. Lewis in 1938. The book is a third-person account of the space travels and alien encounters of a lonely philologist named Elwin Ransom, who is abducted by two elementary schoolmates while he was on a walking-tour. This begins his unexpected galactic journey to Malacandra, where upon landing there, he escapes from his kidnappers and experiences the nature, creatures, and morals of the foreign land.
"And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And He said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but One, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto Him, which? Jesus said, THOU SHALT DO NO MURDER, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." ~ Lord Jesus Christ Quote, Matthew 19:16-19, King James Version Bible
“No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good” (Lewis, C.S., 2001). We see the futile attempts of men and women in the Old Testament who eagerly intended to be good. They aimed to abide by the law of God, but as soon as something shiny, pleasurable, and of earthly value flashed before their eyes, their obedience to God’s commands went out the window. Some did not even try. God’s people compromised their beliefs and committed spiritual adultery against Him by esteeming handmade idols. All the while, they religiously offered sacrifices, and therefore, polluted the House of God. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, our sinful nature has been beckoning us to choose evil, to embrace worldly counterfeits, and to seek a life of selfish ambition. However, Jesus steps on the scene and changes everything.
instructs not only on how to be a good Christian but also, how to be a
correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (NIV
There really is no logical stance for opposition. It makes sense; it clicks. Piety, holiness, is undoubtedly related to a mans service to god and his social implications because of it. It is a universal truth that cannot be disputed. Holiness is not only the general acceptance of a higher being- it is the acknowledgement of god in such a way that it exceeds the shallow affirmations of the common man, usually by acts which displace one from indulgences of society. Religious officials strive to achieve this true definition of holiness, which is made evident in their lifestyles.
Fourth, if we want the Lord to order our steps, we must be led and filled with the Holy Ghost. Romans 8:14 says, “For as many are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Ephesians 5:18 says, “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.” Order my steps, in Your word” (in whatever I do today, from doing laundry or dishes, to ordering homeschool books or answering the phone, encouraging, praising and disciplining the children, may I be always mindful of You each step of the way.) “Order my tongue, in Your word” (by rejoicing always, singing Your praises, sharing You with my children & others, and being mindful to not have a sharp or gossiping tongue)
Even within the ministry we where taught holiness but, individuals proceeded sometimes with self actions and not the elements of the religion. One of the major elements that is major within the social group was marriage.
One can not grow into holiness, but he can only grow in it. Holiness consists of taking out the old and adding the new. “It will take a second work of grace, preceded by a whole-hearted consecration and as definite an act of faith as that which preceded [ones] conversion.”1