The Pursuit of Holiness

As you can see from the many, many pictures below, August was quite a busy month! In the midst of all the busyness, however, I’ve been reading The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges as part of my quiet time. It has been so convicting and yet so motivating. In the chapter called Holiness is Not an Option, Bridges writes: “God does not require a perfect, sinless life to have fellowship with Him, but He does require that we be serious about holiness, that we grieve over sin in our lives instead of justifying it, and that we earnestly pursue holiness as a way of life.” Okay, so good news for me (and you) that God doesn’t require a perfect, sinless life, but what about the rest? Am I serious about holiness in my everyday life? Do I grieve over my sins? Do I earnestly pursue holiness as a way of life? In general, I’d say that I try to live a holy life. But then I start to really think about this subject…Are there sins I try to justify to myself? Yes. Do I consciously think about holiness throughout my day? Sometimes. Am I earnestly pursuing holiness as a way of life? Can we take out the word “earnestly” before I answer? As I continue reading this book along with God’s Word each day, I am listening for and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit and asking Him to show me the areas of my life where holiness is lacking. Pray with me that I would not justify my sins, but that I would turn from them and ‘earnestly pursue holiness as a way of life.’