Holiness: The Pathway to True Faith and Salvation

In our journey of faith, we strive to cultivate a lifestyle that satisfies our passion for the supremacy of God, joy, and practical holiness. Holiness is not merely a religious concept but a vital pathway that leads us to honor and enjoy God eternally. Without holiness, there is no heaven. Practical holiness is about obedience to God's word in our daily lives, manifesting as genuine love for others. This love is not just a feeling but a constitutive element of holiness. As 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 suggests, love is the foundation upon which our hearts are established in holiness before God.

The necessity of holiness for final salvation is underscored by several biblical texts. Hebrews 12:14, for instance, emphasizes that without holiness, no one will see the Lord. This raises a theological challenge: if we are justified by grace through faith apart from works, how can our final salvation depend on a life transformed by holiness? The answer lies in understanding that while we are justified by faith alone, this faith is never alone. It is always accompanied by good works, not as a means of salvation but as evidence of true faith.

The Westminster Confession of Faith provides a profound insight: faith is the sole instrument of justification, yet it is not alone in the justified person. It is always accompanied by other saving graces and works through love. This means that justifying faith inevitably produces love and good works, not as a coincidence but as a necessary outcome. These works are the evidence of true faith and are essential for final salvation, though they are not the ground of it.

Faith in future grace is the key to living out our justification in a way that sanctifies us without falling into legalism. This faith severs the root of sin by embracing a better future and providing a deeper satisfaction in God. It breaks the power of sin by offering a superior satisfaction in all that God is for us in Jesus. Thus, living by faith in future grace is the lifestyle that magnifies God's supremacy, satisfies our deepest longings, and produces the practical holiness necessary for final salvation.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Holiness as Love: Holiness is not an abstract concept but is deeply rooted in love. Genuine love for others is a practical expression of holiness, as it aligns with God's command to love one another. This love is the foundation upon which our hearts are established in holiness before God. [02:30]
• 2. The Necessity of Holiness: Holiness is essential for final salvation. Without it, no one will see the Lord. This underscores the importance of living a life that reflects God's holiness, as it is the pathway to eternal life. [04:29]
• 3. Justification and Works: While we are justified by faith alone, this faith is never alone. It is always accompanied by good works, which serve as evidence of true faith. These works are not the means of salvation but are necessary for final salvation. [13:26]
• 4. Faith in Future Grace: Living by faith in future grace is the key to breaking the power of sin. This faith embraces a better future and provides a deeper satisfaction in God, severing the root of sin and leading to a life of holiness. [20:58]
• 5. The Role of Faith in Sanctification: Faith is not only the means of justification but also the agent of sanctification. It works through love, producing good works that are evidence of true faith and necessary for final salvation. [21:10]
  ** [21:10]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:31] - Passion for Holiness
• [01:11] - Defining Holiness
• [01:37] - Love as Holiness
• [02:11] - Prayer for Love
• [03:42] - Theological Challenges
• [04:12] - Pursuing Holiness
• [05:29] - Sowing to the Spirit
• [06:46] - Perseverance in Holiness
• [07:36] - Salvation through Sanctification
• [08:29] - Forgiveness and Holiness
• [09:35] - Necessity of Holiness
• [10:08] - Justification and Salvation
• [11:33] - Westminster Confession
• [13:04] - Faith and Works
• [14:31] - Living by Faith in Future Grace
• [17:39] - Solomonic Wisdom and Judgment
• [19:41] - Evidence of Faith
• [21:24] - Breaking the Power of Sin
• [22:27] - Conclusion and Call to Faith

1. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
2. Hebrews 12:14
3. Galatians 6:8-9

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, what is the relationship between love and holiness? How does this passage suggest our hearts are established in holiness? [01:56]
2. In Hebrews 12:14, what is the significance of pursuing peace and holiness? What does the passage imply about the necessity of holiness for seeing the Lord? [04:29]
3. How does Galatians 6:8-9 describe the outcomes of sowing to the flesh versus sowing to the Spirit? What does this imply about the consequences of our actions? [05:29]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of good works in relation to faith and final salvation? [13:26]

1. How does the sermon explain the necessity of holiness for final salvation, despite being justified by faith alone? What theological challenges does this present? [10:26]
2. The sermon mentions that love is constitutive of holiness. How does this understanding of love challenge or affirm your current view of what it means to be holy? [02:30]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of faith in future grace in breaking the power of sin? How does this concept influence one's daily walk with God? [20:58]
4. How does the analogy of Solomon's judgment relate to the evidence of faith in a believer's life? What does this imply about the nature of true faith? [18:41]

1. Reflect on your daily life: In what ways can you cultivate genuine love for others as an expression of holiness? Identify one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate this love. [02:48]
2. Hebrews 12:14 emphasizes the pursuit of peace and holiness. What practical steps can you take to pursue peace in your relationships and holiness in your personal life? [04:29]
3. Consider the concept of sowing to the Spirit as described in Galatians 6:8-9. What are some specific "seeds" you can plant in your life that will lead to eternal life rather than corruption? [05:29]
4. The sermon discusses the necessity of good works as evidence of true faith. How can you ensure that your actions reflect your faith without falling into legalism? [13:26]
5. Faith in future grace is described as a way to break the power of sin. Identify a specific area of sin in your life and discuss how embracing future grace can help you overcome it. [20:58]
6. Reflect on the analogy of Solomon's judgment. How can you ensure that your deeds reflect the truth of your faith and relationship with God? What changes might you need to make? [18:41]
7. The sermon highlights the importance of living by faith in future grace. How can you incorporate this mindset into your daily routine to magnify God's supremacy and satisfy your deepest longings? [21:59]