Book Reading Now: The Pursuit of Holiness

Over the past 2 weeks, I have started reading "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. It has been a challenging book, show the need of the Christians exert themselves to be holy. We have our strength in Christ, but often do not invest our own lifestyle and choices in things that are Christ-like, b/c we think it's already been handled.

I am going to attempt to journal the chapters and what insight I have received from them. Lots of quotes, but I will also challenge myself to summarize so that I know the material I am journalling.

The Pursuit of Holiness - Jerry Bridges

Preface

The author starts with an example of a farmer. The farmer plows, sows seed, fertilizes the field, all trying to grow a crop for harvest. But he is utterly dependent on forces outside himself. God is the one who provides rain & sunshine, causes the seed to grow, along with much more to allow the seed to grow to crops ready for harvest. He relates this example to the similarity of the joint venture of God and man in our holiness.

"No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part."

We must think about our responsiblity in holiness. 1) "We are simply reluctant to face up to our responsibility." We like to 'leave in God's hand's'. 2) "We do not understand the proper distinction between God's provision and our own responsibility for holiness."

This does an excellent job setting the tone for the book. He tries to relate these points more specifically, I've already noticed in the next few chapters I have already read. I know this is one of the reasons I choose this book, I don't take holiness as MY responsibility also as often as I should.

He closes drawing 2 observations about the word pursuit. 1) It will require dilligence and effort. 2) It will be a continual task, in this case a lifelong task.