**The Pursuit of Holiness: A Guide to Sacred Living** ![[holy.png]] ### What is Holiness? Holiness is the state of being set apart for God, living in a manner that reflects His purity, righteousness, and love. It is both a gift from God and a call to action, requiring believers to pursue a life that honors Him in thought, word, and deed. Holiness is not merely about avoiding sin but about actively conforming to the character of Christ. ### What Does Holiness Look Like? Holiness manifests in daily life through: - **Moral Purity:** Living with integrity, honesty, and righteousness (1 Peter 1:15-16). - **Spiritual Devotion:** Seeking God through prayer, worship, and scripture (James 4:8). - **Love and Compassion:** Treating others with kindness and forgiveness (Colossians 3:12-14). - **Obedience to God’s Will:** Aligning actions with His commands (John 14:15). ### Scripture References on Holiness 1. **Leviticus 20:26** – "You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine." 2. **1 Peter 1:15-16** – "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’" 3. **Hebrews 12:14** – "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." 4. **2 Corinthians 7:1** – "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." ### Resources on Holiness For further study, consider these books, articles, and podcasts: - **Books:** - *The Pursuit of Holiness* by Jerry Bridges ([Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Holiness-Jerry-Bridges/dp/089109940X)) - *Holiness* by J.C. Ryle ([Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Holiness-J-C-Ryle/dp/1614272532)) - *Be Holy* by Warren Wiersbe ([Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Be-Holy-Learning-Master-Life/dp/1434767356)) - **Articles:** - "What is Holiness?" by Desiring God ([Link](https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-holiness)) - "How to Pursue Holiness" by The Gospel Coalition ([Link](https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-pursue-holiness/)) - **Podcasts:** - *R.C. Sproul on Holiness* – Ligonier Ministries ([Link](https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/holiness-of-god)) - *Ask Pastor John: What Does it Mean to be Holy?* ([Link](https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-does-it-mean-to-be-holy)) ### Reflections: Holiness in Modern Life In today's world, holiness is often misunderstood as outdated or irrelevant. However, it is more necessary than ever. Living a holy life means standing firm in faith, resisting cultural pressures, and exemplifying Christ’s love in an increasingly divided society. Holiness is not about perfection but about progress, drawing closer to God each day. Modern applications of holiness include: - **Guarding our hearts and minds** from unwholesome influences (Philippians 4:8). - **Being a light in the workplace** by practicing honesty and integrity (Matthew 5:16). - **Serving others selflessly**, reflecting God's love through action (Galatians 5:13). Holiness is not a burden but a joyful pursuit. It is the calling of every believer and a reflection of our deep relationship with God. Let us strive to live lives set apart for His glory. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K96e1tK7eN4?si=Fjw14wrANbd7hQwl" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AMIMVTBwlvk?si=0wDS52I_CdfcoXIv" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> - [[The Historical Value of the Bible]] - [[Philokalia]] - [[Thinking God's Thoughts After Him]] - [[Daily Bible Reading]] - [[A Citizen of Heaven]] - [[Faith - A Devotional]] - [[Hope - A Devotional]] - [[Abundance Grace]] - [[Home]] ◦ [[About]]