Holiness is a non-negotiable aspect of the Christian life. Scripture repeatedly calls believers to live apart from the world and be holy as God is holy. Yet we often neglect the diligent pursuit of holiness in our daily lives. Jerry Bridges believed most Christians overlook holiness because they misunderstand their role in its pursuit. In his best-selling book, The Pursuit of Holiness, Bridges explains the meaning of holiness, its necessity, our role in cultivating holiness, and where to pursue it deliberately.
The book’s title comes from Hebrews 12:14, which says, “Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” From this verse, Bridges posits that “The word pursue suggests two thoughts: first, that diligence and effort are required; and second, that it is a lifelong task.” These two ideas establish the primary thesis of the book.
Pursuing holiness is our responsibility. Bridges observed many Christians failing to grasp that the “pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian.” Therefore, he emphasizes this misconception throughout the book. Holiness is a journey instead of a destination. Though we will never attain perfect holiness in this life, God has still given us the means to grow in it.
The book also explores other holiness-related topics, such as our battle for holiness, habits of holiness, and the means of holiness.
I found The Pursuit of Holiness an excellent book that I enjoyed. It is easy to read, biblical, convicting, and full of practical wisdom. Reading this book made me aware of areas where I lacked watchfulness in my quest for holiness. I particularly benefited from the chapters on guarding our hearts and will. Here are some key points I took away from this book.
First, Bridges’s explanation of holiness as a joint venture between man and God. I love how he illustrates this concept using a farmer and the weather. For a bountiful harvest to occur, the farmer and the weather must cooperate. Without tilling the soil and working the field, the farmer won’t have a harvest, even with pleasant weather. Likewise, we must be active in our pursuit of holiness; if we do not contribute, it will not happen.
Second, the Word and Spirit of God are central to holiness. Throughout the book, Bridges constantly reminds us that Scripture is our means for pursuing holiness and that the Holy Spirit is the driving force. The Spirit of God works in us through the Word of God to obey the Son of God and be holy like God.
Third, we need a concrete plan for holiness (this was a lightbulb moment for me). It is well to read about holiness, pray for it, understand it, and even desire it. But unless we intentionally plan for holiness, we won’t practice it.
And fourth, we must pursue holiness out of obedience to God and not for personal victory.
This book provided me with many other valuable insights, including the significance of holiness in our reason and will, abstaining from indulging the flesh, and the connection between habit formation and holiness.
To conclude, The Pursuit of Holiness is a fantastic book, and I strongly recommend it! Bridges’ clear writing, practical insights, and biblical knowledge will deepen your comprehension of holiness and encourage you to persevere in your pursuit until the day Christ finishes the perfect work He began in us.
Favorite Quotes
“The pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian.”
“To be holy is to be morally blameless. It is to be separated from sin and, therefore, consecrated to God.”
“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.”
“God wants us to walk in obedience-not victory. Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self.”
“Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God.”
“The absolute holiness of God should be of great comfort and assurance to us. If God is perfectly holy, then we can be confident that His actions toward us are always perfect and just.”
“Holiness is not a series of do’s and don’ts, but conformity to the character of God and obedience to the will of God. Accepting with contentment whatever circumstances God allows for me is very much a part of a holy walk.”
“Only as we reckon on these twin facts-that I am dead to sin and its reign over me and that I am alive to God, united to Him who strengthens me-can I keep sin from reigning in my mortal body.”
“There is no point in praying for victory over temptation if we are not willing to make a commitment to say no to it.”
“Discipline toward holiness begins then with the Scriptures with a disciplined plan for regular intake of the Scriptures and a disciplined plan for applying them to our daily lives.”
“The Bible speaks to us primarily through our reason, and this is why it is so vitally important for our minds to be constantly brought under its influence.”
“God most often appeals to our wills through our reason, sin and Satan usually appeal to us through our desires.”
“The battle for holiness must be fought on two fronts-without and within. Only then will we see progress toward holiness.”
“Though we often think of holiness in a more narrow sense of separation from impurity and moral evil, in its broader sense holiness is obedience to the will of God in whatever God directs.”
“If we would pursue holiness we must have faith to obey the will of God revealed in the Scripture and faith to believe that the promises of God will then be ours.”
“Joy not only results from a holy life, but there is also a sense in which joy helps produce a holy life.”
