Living Holiness: Faith, Love, and Salvation

In our journey to find a lifestyle that satisfies our passion for the supremacy of God, joy, and practical holiness, we must understand the essence of holiness. Holiness is not just a theological concept but a practical way of living that aligns with God's word. It is obedience to God's commands in our daily lives, manifesting as genuine love for others. This love is not merely an emotion but a reflection of holiness, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, where love is directly linked to establishing our hearts in holiness.

The necessity of holiness is underscored by its role in our final salvation. Hebrews 12:14 and other scriptures emphasize that without holiness, no one will see the Lord. This is not to undermine the doctrine of justification by faith alone but to highlight that true faith is always accompanied by good works. These works are not the means of our salvation but evidence of a transformed life. They demonstrate that our faith is genuine and alive, as James 2:17 states, "faith without works is dead."

The challenge arises in reconciling the necessity of holiness with the doctrine of justification by faith alone. The Westminster Confession of Faith provides clarity by stating that while we are justified by faith alone, this faith is never alone. It is always accompanied by other saving graces, including love and good works. These works are not the basis of our justification but the evidence of it.

Faith is the agent that produces these works, not merely accompanying them. It severs the root of sin by offering a superior satisfaction in God's promises, thus breaking the power of sin. This is living by faith in future grace, where faith not only justifies but also sanctifies, leading us to a life of holiness.

In conclusion, our passion for God's supremacy, joy, and holiness can be fulfilled by living a life of faith in future grace. This lifestyle magnifies God, satisfies our deepest longings, and produces the practical holiness necessary for final salvation, all while upholding the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Holiness is practical obedience to God's word, manifesting as genuine love for others. This love is constitutive of holiness, as it reflects our obedience and alignment with God's will. [02:33]
• 2. The necessity of holiness for final salvation is clear in scripture. Holiness is not an optional extra but a requirement for seeing the Lord, emphasizing the importance of a transformed life. [04:19]
• 3. Justification by faith alone is a foundational doctrine, yet true faith is always accompanied by good works. These works are evidence of our faith, not the means of our salvation. [12:51]
• 4. Faith is the agent that produces good works, breaking the power of sin by offering a superior satisfaction in God's promises. This is living by faith in future grace, where faith sanctifies as well as justifies. [15:24]
• 5. Our deeds on judgment day are not to earn salvation but to demonstrate the reality of our faith. They are the evidence of our living by faith and future grace, showing that we are already enjoying the fruits of our pardon. [19:23]
  ** [19:23]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:35] - Passion for Holiness
• [01:15] - Defining Practical Holiness
• [02:01] - Love as Holiness
• [03:31] - Holiness and Salvation
• [04:19] - Pursuing Peace and Holiness
• [05:13] - Sowing to the Spirit
• [06:00] - Perseverance in Holiness
• [07:07] - Faith and Works
• [08:12] - The Narrow Path
• [09:22] - Living by the Spirit
• [10:14] - Justification and Salvation
• [11:40] - Westminster Confession
• [13:12] - Faith Produces Works
• [15:08] - Evidence of True Faith
• [18:07] - Solomonic Wisdom and Judgment
• [20:21] - Faith and Sanctification
• [21:39] - Three Passions: Supremacy, Joy, Holiness

1. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
2. Hebrews 12:14
3. James 2:17

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, how is love connected to holiness? What does this suggest about the nature of holiness? [02:01]
2. In Hebrews 12:14, what is the relationship between holiness and seeing the Lord? How does this passage emphasize the necessity of holiness? [04:19]
3. James 2:17 states that "faith without works is dead." How does this passage challenge the idea of faith being separate from actions? [07:07]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of faith in producing good works? What is the significance of faith being the agent of these works? [15:24]

1. How does the sermon reconcile the necessity of holiness with the doctrine of justification by faith alone? What role do good works play in this understanding? [10:14]
2. The sermon mentions that love is constitutive of holiness. How might this understanding of love as a reflection of holiness change one's perspective on daily interactions with others? [02:33]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between faith and future grace? How does this concept help in breaking the power of sin? [20:21]
4. How does the analogy of Solomon's judgment relate to the way God views our deeds on judgment day? What does this imply about the nature of our actions as evidence of faith? [19:23]

1. Reflect on your daily life. In what ways can you demonstrate genuine love for others as a reflection of holiness? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [02:33]
2. Hebrews 12:14 emphasizes the necessity of holiness to see the Lord. What steps can you take to pursue holiness in your life? Consider setting a specific goal for this month. [04:19]
3. The sermon discusses the importance of faith producing good works. Can you identify an area in your life where your faith could be more active? What practical steps can you take to address this? [15:24]
4. Consider the concept of living by faith in future grace. How can this perspective help you overcome a specific sin or challenge you are currently facing? [20:21]
5. Reflect on the analogy of Solomon's judgment. How can you ensure that your actions are genuine evidence of your faith? What changes might you need to make in your daily life to align with this understanding? [19:23]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of a transformed life as evidence of true faith. What specific area of your life do you feel needs transformation? How can you begin this process? [10:14]
7. How can you cultivate a deeper satisfaction in God's promises to break the power of sin in your life? Identify one promise of God that you can meditate on this week. [20:21]