Pursuing Holiness: A Journey of Faith and Obedience

The journey of faith is not a passive one, but a daily pursuit of holiness and obedience to God. Drawing from Hebrews 12:14, the call is clear: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Holiness is not an optional extra for the Christian life; it is essential, and it is both a gift from God and a responsibility for every believer. God has already accomplished the work of salvation through Christ—choosing, calling, and justifying us not by our works, but by His mercy and grace. Our right standing before God is not based on our own merit, but on the righteousness of Jesus Christ, imputed to us by faith.

Yet, while salvation is entirely God’s work, the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture. God sets us apart—definitively sanctifies us—by His sovereign choice, but we are called to live out that sanctification in daily obedience. This means that holy living is not about denominational labels or religious activity, but about being transformed by the renewing of our minds and presenting our bodies as living sacrifices. The Christian life is marked by a continual struggle against sin, and none of us have arrived at perfection. We must be honest about our disobedience, recognizing that sometimes we even enjoy it, but we are called to a higher standard because of what God has done in us.

Obedience is not just a duty, but a response of worship to God’s mercy. We are to walk in the Spirit, not conforming to the world, but being distinct in our character and conduct. The grace of God is evident in His patience with us, allowing us to come into His presence despite our failures. True spiritual growth comes not from seeking more “victory,” but from seeking greater obedience. The challenge is to move beyond celebrating what God has done for us, to rejoicing in what He is doing through us as we obey His commands. Holiness is both our calling and our privilege, and it is only by God’s power and our daily surrender that we can grow into the likeness of Christ.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Holiness is a joint venture between God and the believer. God alone accomplishes salvation, choosing and justifying us by His grace, but He calls us to actively pursue holiness in our daily lives. This partnership means we rely on God’s power while taking responsibility for our obedience. Our growth in holiness is evidence of God’s work in us and our response to His call. [34:28]
• 2. Definitive sanctification is God’s act of setting us apart for His glory, not something we achieve by our own efforts or religious affiliation. Being sanctified is not about belonging to a particular denomination, but about being made a saint by God’s unconditional election and adoption. This identity is rooted in God’s eternal purpose, realized in our lives by the Spirit. We are called to live out what God has already declared us to be. [44:07]
• 3. No degree of holy living is possible without God’s ongoing work in our lives, but growth in holiness also requires our consistent obedience. We cannot attain holiness by sheer willpower or religious striving; it is the Spirit who empowers us. Yet, we must daily choose to obey God’s commands, recognizing that none of us have fully arrived and all are in need of grace. Honest self-examination and repentance are essential for progress. [46:54]
• 4. Obedience is the believer’s reasonable act of worship, a response to God’s mercy and a means of transformation. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices and renewing our minds sets us apart from the world and aligns us with God’s will. True worship is not just about what we receive from God, but about how we respond to Him in daily life. Our obedience is both a testimony to God’s grace and a source of spiritual joy. [49:59]
• 5. The primary barrier to growth in holiness is not a lack of victory, but a lack of obedience. Many pray for victory over sin, forgetting that Christ has already secured it; what remains is to walk in obedience to God’s Word. Spiritual maturity comes from shifting our prayers and focus from victory to obedience, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for every step. This shift leads to genuine transformation and deeper fellowship with God. [59:49]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [29:42] - Introduction: Two Study Focuses
• [30:22] - Vision for Growth and Breakthrough
• [31:05] - Purpose: Developing Faith and Service
• [31:43] - Making Study a Daily Practice
• [32:26] - Hebrews 12:14 – The Call to Holiness
• [33:44] - What is Holiness Doctrine?
• [34:28] - Holiness: A Joint Venture
• [35:11] - God’s Work in Salvation
• [36:41] - Rejoicing in God’s Choice
• [37:17] - Salvation by God’s Purpose, Not Works
• [38:44] - Justification by Faith Alone
• [39:28] - Regeneration and New Creation
• [40:10] - Dropping Old Weights
• [42:09] - Living in Right Standing
• [43:32] - Definitive Sanctification Explained
• [46:54] - The Necessity of God’s Work and Our Obedience
• [49:59] - Obedience as Worship
• [53:00] - Walking in the Spirit
• [54:32] - God’s Patience and Presence
• [56:54] - The Need for Honest Obedience
• [58:36] - Why We Struggle with Holiness
• [59:49] - Praying for Obedience, Not Victory

Bible Reading

Hebrews 12:14 (ESV): — "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

- 1 Peter 1:16 (ESV):
"Since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

- Romans 12:1 (ESV):
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 12:14, what two things are believers told to pursue, and what is the consequence if we neglect one of them?
2. In 1 Peter 1:16, what is the reason given for why believers should be holy?
3. Based on Romans 12:1, what does Paul urge believers to do with their bodies, and how does he describe this act?
4. The sermon says, “Holiness is not about denominational labels or religious activity, but about being transformed by the renewing of our minds and presenting our bodies as living sacrifices.” What does this mean in practical terms? [[49:59]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon describes holiness as a “joint venture” between God and the believer. What does it mean that God alone accomplishes salvation, but we are called to actively pursue holiness? [[34:28]]
2. How does the idea of “definitive sanctification”—God setting us apart—change the way a believer should view their identity and daily life? [[44:07]]
3. The pastor said, “No believer will obtain growth in holiness and holy living without consistent obedience to the holy commands of God’s word.” Why is obedience so essential for spiritual growth, according to the sermon? [[46:54]]
4. The sermon points out that many Christians pray for “victory” over sin, but the real issue is obedience. What is the difference between seeking victory and seeking obedience? [[59:49]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to make the pursuit of holiness a daily practice, not just a Sunday event. What is one specific way you can make holiness a part of your daily routine this week? [[31:43]]
2. The pastor said, “We must be honest about our disobedience, recognizing that sometimes we even enjoy it.” Is there an area of your life where you have been enjoying disobedience? What would it look like to be honest with God and others about it? [[48:19]]
3. Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. What is one practical step you can take to offer yourself to God in this way, especially in an area where you struggle? [[49:59]]
4. The sermon says, “Obedience is not just a duty, but a response of worship to God’s mercy.” How can you shift your mindset so that obedience feels more like worship and less like a burden? [[49:59]]
5. The pastor mentioned that “the primary barrier to growth in holiness is not a lack of victory, but a lack of obedience.” What is one area where you have been praying for victory, but need to start praying for obedience instead? [[59:49]]
6. The sermon encourages honest self-examination and repentance as essential for progress. What is one way you can build regular self-examination and repentance into your spiritual life? [[46:54]]
7. The pastor said, “We are to walk in the Spirit, not conforming to the world, but being distinct in our character and conduct.” What is one way you can be more distinct in your character or conduct at work, school, or home this week? [[53:00]]