The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."  Hebrews 12:14

In his book The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges shares that the verse above suggests two thoughts in regard to pursuing a life of holiness:  "first, that diligence and effort are required; and second, that is is a lifelong task".  Bridges spends seventeen short and easy to read chapters helping the reader understand God's provision for our personal holiness while deliberately stressing our responsibility "feeling that this is an emphasis sorely needed among Christians today" all the while reminding that "holiness is a process, something we never completely attain in this life".

This book is only 153 pages in length, but don't let that fool you into questioning the content!  Bridges is an expert at breaking such a weighty subject down into manageable portions.  The chapters are short, giving you the ability to take the time needed to engage in the most important discipline of applying truth learned to your life.  The chapters are short, but very "meaty".  There are times I would read a paragraph and just have to stop and let the ministry of the Holy Spirit take over and "teach" me; places such as this quote:

"This call to a holy life is based on the fact that God Himself is holy.  Because God is holy, He requires that we be holy.  Many Christians have what we might call a 'cultural holiness'.  They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them.  As the Christian culture around them is more or less holy, so these Christians are more or less holy.  But God has not called us to be like those around us.  He has called us to be like Himself.  Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God."

Bridges also has a companion Bible study guide to The Pursuit of Holiness.  I would highly recommend both the book and the study guide.  I am pleased to have added this title to my already growing library of writings from Mr. Bridges.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Pursuit of Holiness and its companion study guide can both be purchased at Amazon.com or from NavPress.















Blessings,
Jennifer