(13) Of Sanctification

The purpose of your life is holy living. Hymn-writer Augustus Toplady gets to the point: "We are redeemed from sin and shame, and called to holiness." God delivers his people from the hand of the enemy that they "might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness" (Luke 1:74–75). "Holiness … is the purpose of our justification."

Why? Because God is "majestic in holiness" (Ex. 15:11). His holiness, his complete lack of character flaws, is the essence of angelic praise (Isa. 6:3). And God aims to manifest his holiness among his people (Ez. 28:22). Believers must reflect the holiness of God. And although we must rely on God to sanctify us completely (1 Thess. 5:23), we must also "strive for … holiness" (Heb. 12:14).

We need to see God's interest in our holiness because it is one of the virtues most mocked in this world. When John and Charles Wesley began meeting together in college to study the Bible, pray, worship, and serve the neediest in their community other students mocked them, calling their gathering the "Holy Club." The world may deride holiness. But without it no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).