Shepherding God's people includes persuading them to pursue holiness. This article explains that sanctification can be seen in the church when believers are pointed in the right direction and their identity made clear.
The ethical demand for holy living is inseparable from what is freely given in the gospel.
The serene beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence in the world next to the power of God.
This article explains that holiness is not a temperament, nor forced seriousness. One can be funny or dull, quiet or loud, and still be holy.
Christians have died, been raised, are seated in heaven, and will appear with Christ. This gospel narrative of being in Christ is crucial for Christian growth and holiness.
Christians are called to pursue holiness. How do we actually do it? This article says that by applying the grace of God in our life, we will grow in holiness, and it explains four ways to apply such grace.
Gospel holiness opposes legal holiness, it is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit, and it is an expression of God's grace. These are three lessons on holiness from John Owen.
To understand the reason for the incarnation of Christ, one must understand the holiness of God. Both the holiness of God and the incarnation of Christ must shape how Christians live in the city. The article draws five implications of the incarnation for the Christian life.
The church is the new covenant temple of God. This article explains the relationship between the heavenly temple where Jesus is as the High Priest and the earthly temple. It shows how the New Testament uses this imagery to morally exhort the church to holiness and to provide hope for sacrificial living.
Holiness is what distinguishes Christians from the world, and it strengthens Christian witness. But why is it that the church is uncomfortable to be known as holy? This article answers, explaining the importance of being counter-cultural.
This article reflects on the purpose of admonitions: that we might share in the holiness of God.
To John Calvin, Christian hope is rooted in the return of Christ. This article shows how this influenced Calvin’s view of holiness.
Because of his holiness, when God comes into contact with sin he must react with just wrath. 2 Samuel 6:1-7 demonstrates the truth of the wrath of God, shown in response to sin and by way of punishment.
What is holiness? Holiness can be defined in relation to God but also in relation to human beings. This article explains these two sides to holiness.
It is a life-changing realization that you can be holier than you think. Fighting sin and striving for holiness are filled with new zeal when you realize God's promises for making you holy. The article explains this.
Why is it that our good works are never enough? The answer is God's standard of holiness. The article explains.
Holiness is related to what you fill your heart and mind with. This article explains how pursuing the standard set in Philippians 4:8 impact growth in holiness.
Are you struggling from bad spiritual grammar? Do you often reverse the order of gospel logic, that the indicatives precede the imperatives? Your growth in holiness depends on understanding gospel logic. Let the article explain.
Sanctification is not just an individual matter. Your sanctification and pursuit of holiness is a gift to others. The article explains how.
Understanding the biblical teaching on sanctification depends on how one understands the nature of the work of Christ. This article examines the relation between justification and sanctification and shows how different understandings flow to what the Christian life should be like. It argues that though justification and sanctification are distinct they must not be separated, as this is at the heart of understanding the call to holiness.
What are the communicable attributes of God? After defining communicable attributes, this article explains the holiness, love, goodness, justice and righteousness, and wisdom of God and how they relate to knowing God.
The prophet Ezekiel had a great interest in history. The focus of this article is on Ezekiel's concern for the holiness of the name of the Lord.
Chapter 2 considers Christians' motivations for change, holiness and sanctification. The author first notes three non-evangelical motives for sanctification. Next he notes the evangelical reality of a new identity that Christians receive in Jesus Christ.
This chapter is an introduction to John Owen and his most important works on sanctification. Sanctification meant for Owen that Christians are called to learn the art of battle. To fight the battle of faith Owen wants his readers to understand the nature of sin, the complexity of the human heart, and the goodness and provision of God.
John Wesley's doctrine of Christian perfection makes it necessary for him to make clear how he understands the doctrine of sin. He had a specific view of holiness. In this paper the author's intention is to clarify Wesley's concept of sin.
This chapter wants to correct a too-narrow focus on motivations for sanctification. DeYoung believes that preachers and counsellors are too limited in the tools available to encourage biblical holiness. He feels that commands, gratitude, and duties are unhelpful on their own. Believers are motivated in different ways. He illustrates from Colossians 3 that there is a wide array of motivations for holiness.
Kaiser reflects first on the function of the law as a guide for the promotion of holiness and Christian living, and then on the relationship between law and gospel. Romans 9:30-Romans 10:13 is used as illustrative material.
The holiness of God sets him apart from us and makes him an object of awe, adoration, and dread. The article shows the link between his holiness and his justice and purity.
Sanctification is growth. This article explains by showing the relationship between sanctification and regeneration, and how regeneration leads to holiness.
Chapter 1 is an exposition of Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 21, Q&A 54. The authors seek to understand from the Catechism what the relationship between the church and the world is in worship. Should the aim of the church be to make worship accessible to the world? Should worship be one occasion where the church displays her otherworldliness?
The author attempts to show that Calvinism is not divorced from the piety that Scripture exhorts believers to have. The article does this by showing that the doctrines of Reformed theology do not hinder the pursuit of holiness.
What does it mean to live a holy life? True holiness is summed up in the command of Matthew 22:37-40.
Peer pressure can be viewed in two ways: negative pressure that leads one to disobey God, and positive pressure that leads one to obey God. This article encourages positive peer pressure among Christian young people. Church youth should encourage each other to pursue holiness.
This article discusses the true definition of the church, as well as the chief characteristics of the church: holiness and fellowship.
The way of holiness starts with conversion, when the Holy Spirit applies the promises of God to the believer.
This article makes a distinction between spirituality and holiness. The modern emphasis on spirituality has undermined holiness. As a result, worldliness has been accepted in God's church.
Holiness is important for the Christian life because it is God's will that we should be holy. Holiness is the result of Christ and the Holy Sprit's work, is the fruit of true faith and love, is a form of witnessing for Christ, and provides comfort and prepares the believer for heaven.
Looking at God is foundational to building a theology of beauty. God is beautiful in His glorious holiness; however, because of sin we fail to see His beauty. In Christ we are given restoration and are called to ourselves be holy. Understanding this is crucial to curbing the modern threats to seeing this beauty.
According to Ephesians 6:14, Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare. This article discusses what it means to put on the breastplate of righteousness. The author discusses the righteousness we have in Christ and the holiness we must display as Christians.
Working from 1 Corinthians 1:2, 5, this article shows that Jesus as the Passover Lamb has freed us from the slavery of sin. As a result, our holiness, or sanctification, before God rests in the work of Christ.
The struggle with sin in the Christian life can lead one to despair. This article shows that by focusing on the reality of our sanctification - the fact that we have already been made and are daily being made holy, and look forward to the future perfection of our holiness - will result in active waiting. This will shed light at the end of the tunnel.
This article shows that the problem facing modern theology, scholarship, and church life is the loss of God's holiness. Without a clear view of God holiness, individuals have an improper view of scripture, and God is viewed as an object.
"You want to know what your problem is? You don’t love Jesus enough. I know this not because I know you, but because I know me. I’ve got the same problem. My wife has the same problem, as do my kids. The sheep in my flock suffer from the same problem". This article looks at the relation of love for God and sanctification. The author also discusses seeking God and our holiness, and holiness in society and culture.
This article is on the doctrine of progressive sanctification, and also discusses holiness and perfectionism. At the core the article lies Lord's Day 44 of the Heidelberg Catechism.
