Personal Holiness: Pursuing a Life Set Apart to God

“If I had my choice of all the blessings I can conceive of, I would choose perfect conformity to the Lord Jesus, or, in one word, holiness.” – Charles Spurgeon
 
Are you holy?
 
There is a lot wrapped up in that little word, holy.
 
In my pastoral experience, I’ve found that many who call themselves Christians hesitate to consider themselves holy. Yet, that is exactly what God calls and commands us to be. In fact, one significant outcome of our redemption is that because Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to us, we can now pursue a personal holiness that glorifies God.
 
As Christians, we are called to live lives that reflect the image and character of God. At first, this may seem like an unattainable goal, given our weakness. Let us not consider personal holiness as a mere lofty ideal but a practical, daily pursuit that transforms us and pleases God. In this post, we’ll explore personal holiness, what it means, why it matters, how to pursue it amid various obstacles, and the beautiful fruit it bears in our lives.

What is Personal Holiness?

Personal holiness is the sincere pursuit of a life set apart to God rooted in our redemption and in Christ’s resurrection. It is demonstrated by genuine love for God and neighbor, and growing conformity to the image of Christ. A holy life is one marked by faith, obedience, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit, lived in response to God’s grace – all for His glory.

Why should we pursue Holiness?

We pursue holiness in response to Christ’s atoning sacrifice for us, looking back to the cross and forward to His glorious return. Our pursuit is not merely for our own benefit and joy, but primarily that we would bring glory to God through our lives.

We Pursue Holiness Because God is Holy and Commands Us to Be Holy

God is both the standard and the source of holiness. He alone is perfect, and He alone can perfect us and make us clean.

Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you. Leviticus 20:7-8 (See also Leviticus 19:2, 20:26, Isaiah 6:3, 1 Peter 1:16, and Revelation 4:8)

We Pursue Holiness in Response to the Grace of God Given Through Jesus Christ

Our motivation for holiness does not come to us naturally. It is supernaturally gifted to us as we respond to the gospel and the sacrifice of Christ for us. When we look back to the cross, and ahead to His return, we are prompted in our spirits to respond in loving obedience and holy living. The Apostles Peter and Paul both call us to look back to the cross and ahead to the parousia (Jesus’ second coming) as we pursue holy lives:

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 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.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:13-19

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14
 
(See also Romans 12:1-2, 2 Peter 3:10-13, and 1 John 3:2-3)

We Pursue Holiness to Bring Glory to God

Remember, we were created as image-bearers of God, but our ability to reflect His image was corrupted at the fall of man. Christ’s redemption enables us again to reflect the image of God and represent Him to the world. Now, our pursuit of holiness may bear this fruit and so glorify God.
 
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
 
“And [you] have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:10

Christians are always in the maturing process, being built up and consecrated to God so that we can now offer ourselves and our works as spiritual sacrifices to God. These are not offered in place of Christ’s sacrifice, but as the fruit of His work in and through us. Our transformed lives and our proclamation of His excellencies bring glory to Him.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5 (See also 1 Peter 2:9-12)

How Do We Pursue Holiness?

Holiness is both a condition of the heart and a pursuit of life.  It is cultivated through an ever-growing faith in Christ and conformity to His image, an increase in spiritual maturity and obedience to God’s Word. This work in us cannot be done in our own power or by the strength of our own personal will. We are sanctified and matured according to God’s will and in His power alone. That said, we are called to participate in our own sanctification and pursue righteousness according to His will and in His strength. Paul emphasizes this point in 1 Corinthians 15:10:
 
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

Our Holiness is a Work of The Trinity

The pursuit of personal holiness is done in communion and cooperation with our Triune God. The Bible gives us actionable instructions and encouragement regarding the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Seek the Will of the Father

“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:17
 
Since God is the standard and source of our holiness, we must align our lives according to His will and commands. Knowing and following His will is not just following a set of rules but involves what I call “loving obedience.” From our hearts we desire to please Him first, seeking His will in all things.
 
Romans 12:2 urges us to be “transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This transformation comes through a deliberate effort to understand God’s desires as revealed in Scripture and through communing with Him in prayer.

Abide in Christ

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
 
Personal holiness is impossible to accomplish in our own strength or by our own feeble will. The human spirit may be willing (sometimes), but the flesh is weak. We must be connected to The Vine, Jesus Christ, to receive life-giving power, nourishment, and wisdom from Him.
 
Jesus must be the source of our desires and strength. As we commune with Him through prayer and time in the Word of God, we are sustained as a branch is by its vine. Similarly, just like a branch we become increasingly indistinguishable from The Vine as we are united with Him. This oneness with Christ is the essence of personal holiness.

Walk by the Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25
 
The Spirit of God gives us life, dwells in us, guides us, teaches us, and produces holiness in us. Let us not make the mistake of thinking that since the Spirit regenerated us and has given us new life, we have nothing more to do. As (now) obedient children, we must continue the work of sanctification in His power and wisdom, not relying on our own. If we were made alive in Christ by the Spirit, let us continue in that new life by the grace and power of God, the Holy Spirit.

To walk daily by the Spirit of God is a wonderful mark of maturity in the Christian’s life, and will bear the fruit of personal holiness in us.

Holiness must be made a Priority

When Christ redeemed us, we were made a new creation. Our priorities changed, and we now have a new direction and destination. We are encouraged to make holiness a priority, putting off our old self and adorning our new self, which is restored to the image of God in holiness.

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

Desire and Strive for Holiness

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6
 
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
 
The Christian life is marked by an increasing hunger and thirst for righteousness. And Jesus promises us that this hunger and thirst will be satisfied. We are called to strive for peace and for holiness in this life, here and now.
 
Are you hungry and thirsty for personal holiness? Do you have a deep desire to be satisfied in the fullness of the holiness that God has promised to you? This is our hope and our aim as we walk in righteousness before Him.

Practice Spiritual Disciplines

Now we turn to some practical actions we can take to grow in holiness. Spiritual disciplines are activities that, when practiced by faith and in God’s strength, train us in godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7) There are many spiritual disciplines and practices that we may focus on, but here are a select few to consider:

What are some Obstacles to Personal Holiness?

Whenever we set out to please God and live holy lives, we will face opposition. This is to be expected, but we must prepare ourselves for it. Sometimes we will face external opposition (2 Timothy 3:12), but often we battle our own flesh and lack of faith. These are the struggles every Christian faces as we pursue Christ while retaining our old nature.

Our Sin

We battle the sinful nature that still tempts us to disobey God (Romans 7:15). We can overcome this through repentance, confession, and relying on the Spirit and His power. (See 1 John 1:7-9 and Galatians 5:16-26)

Our Surroundings

The cares and culture of this world can draw us away from God and keep us from the narrow path of righteousness. The enemy of God may also tempt us and attempt to trip us up as we walk the narrow path. We can keep our hearts on things above and look to Christ’s return to help us overcome. (See Romans 12:1-2 and Colossians 3:2)

Our Sloth

Spiritual laziness and lack of discipline will keep us from our full potential and maturity in Christ. Diligence in our study of the Word, persistence in prayer, and reliance on the Spirit of God will help us overcome and see victory in this area. (See 1 Timothy 4:6-10 and Hebrews 5:14)

What are the Fruit and Rewards of Personal Holiness?

Many blessings come from growing in personal holiness. Here are a few we may consider:
 
Personal holiness pleases God. (See Micah 6:7-8)
It brings joy to us in our walk with Christ. (See John 15:11)
It strengthens our witness to the world. (See Matthew 5:16 and 1 Peter 2:12)
It bears much fruit for God’s kingdom and brings Him glory. (See John 15:8)
It prepares us for Christ’s return (See 2 Peter 3:10-15a)

Conclusion

Personal holiness is not a burden but a joyful calling for those who believe in Christ for salvation. Our Triune God conforms us to Christ’s image “from one degree of glory to another” as we seek the Father’s will, abide in Christ, and walk by the Spirit.
 
Though we will face obstacles, sinful desires from within our own hearts or worldly distractions, God’s grace abounds toward us. He will fulfill His promise to complete the work He began in us, and we will rejoice with Him at its completion.
 
Let us embrace this profound and sacred journey, with faith and assurance, striving to please God and bring Him glory until Christ comes again.

Want to Go Deeper?

Read 1 Peter 1:13-21 and Romans 6:11-23. Write out how these passages describe the pursuit of personal holiness. Reflect on one obstacle to holiness you face and one spiritual discipline you can practice this week to grow in holiness.