THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS

HOLINESS IS FOR YOU

Romans 6:14 ESV

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 6:14 NIV

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

ROMANS

The best way of understanding the concept of holiness is to note how the New Testament writers used the word.

The Pursuit of Holiness Chapter 1: Holiness Is for You

the best way of understanding the concept of holiness is to note how writers of the New Testament used the word. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7, Paul used the term in contrast to a life of immorality and impurity. Peter used it in contrast to living according to the evil desires we had when we lived outside of Christ (1 Peter 1:14–16). John contrasted one who is holy with those who do wrong and are vile (Revelation 22:11). To live a holy life, then, is to live a life in conformity to the moral precepts of the Bible and in contrast to the sinful ways of the world. It is to live a life characterized by the “[putting] off of your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires...and [putting] on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22, 24).

Paul used the term in contrast to a life of immortality and impurity.

Peter used it in contrast to living according to the evil desires we had when we lived outside of Christ.

The Pursuit of Holiness Chapter 1: Holiness Is for You

the best way of understanding the concept of holiness is to note how writers of the New Testament used the word. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7, Paul used the term in contrast to a life of immorality and impurity. Peter used it in contrast to living according to the evil desires we had when we lived outside of Christ (1 Peter 1:14–16). John contrasted one who is holy with those who do wrong and are vile (Revelation 22:11). To live a holy life, then, is to live a life in conformity to the moral precepts of the Bible and in contrast to the sinful ways of the world. It is to live a life characterized by the “[putting] off of your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires...and [putting] on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22, 24).

John contrasted one who is holy with those who do wrong and are vile .

To live a holy life, then, is to live a life in conformity to the moral precepts of the Bible and in contrast to the sinful ways of the world. It is to live a life characterized by the “[putting] off of your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires...and [putting] on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (, ).

Three basic problem areas

1. Our attitude toward sin is more self centered than God centered.

We have to understand that our sin hurt God .

God wants us to walk in obedinece - not victory.

The Pursuit of Holiness Chapter 1: Holiness Is for You

Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self. This may seem to be merely splitting hairs over semantics, but there is a subtle, self-centered attitude at the root of many of our difficulties with sin. Until we face this attitude and deal with it we will not consistently walk in holiness.

2. A misunderstanding of living by faith .

2.

Gala

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

We must face the fact that we have a personal responsibility for our walk of holiness

Bridges, J. (1978). The pursuit of holiness (p. 18). Colorado Springs: Navpress.

3. We don’t take sin serious .

The Pursuit of Holiness Chapter 1: Holiness Is for You

We have mentally categorized sins into that which is unacceptable and that which may be tolerated a bit.

Song of Solomon 2:15 NIV

Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.

The Pursuit of Holiness Chapter 1: Holiness Is for You

It is compromise on the little issues that leads to greater downfalls