The Right Path to Holiness
To grow in true holiness, we must understand how it is attained. Many people try to become holy through their own efforts or by relying on the wrong principles. These approaches lead to frustration and failure. Instead, the Bible teaches us the proper way to pursue sanctification.
Holiness is not something we can produce on our own. It comes from God, who works in us through His grace and power. Our role is to follow His appointed means of sanctification, relying on His Spirit and trusting in His promises.
Common Mistakes in Seeking Holiness
Many people fail to attain holiness because they pursue it incorrectly. Here are some common mistakes:
Depending on the Law Alone
Some think they can become holy by simply obeying God’s commandments through their own strength. They believe that hearing the law preached or striving harder to follow its rules will make them more righteous. However, the law cannot change our hearts. It can reveal our sin and show us what holiness looks like, but it cannot empower us to live a holy life. Paul writes:
“The law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24).
Trying to Reform the Old Nature
Others attempt to improve their sinful nature by sheer willpower or by adopting new habits. They focus on external behavior rather than internal transformation. But Scripture teaches that our old nature is corrupt and cannot be reformed:
“The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot” (Romans 8:7).
Relying on External Motivation
Some seek holiness by putting themselves under rules, rituals, or harsh disciplines, hoping these will suppress sin. Paul warns against this approach:
“These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:23). True holiness comes from the work of the Holy Spirit, not from outward regulations.
The Gospel as the Foundation of Holiness
The key to holiness lies in understanding and applying the gospel. The good news of Jesus Christ is not only the means by which we are justified but also the foundation for our sanctification.
Through the gospel, we are united to Christ by faith. This union is the source of all spiritual blessings, including holiness:
“Because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).
When we are united to Christ, His Spirit dwells in us, transforming us from the inside out. Our old nature is crucified with Him, and we are raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4–6).
Faith as the Instrument of Sanctification
Faith is the means by which we receive God’s grace for holiness. Just as we are justified by faith apart from works, so we are sanctified by faith working through love.
Paul reminds the Galatians:
“Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? … Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:2–3).
Faith looks to Christ for everything we need to live a holy life. It trusts in His power to enable us to obey God’s commands and relies on His promises for victory over sin.
Holiness Through the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the agent of our sanctification. He works in us to produce the fruit of holiness, shaping us into the image of Christ:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The Spirit enables us to put to death the deeds of the flesh and to walk in obedience to God:
“If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13).
As we yield to the Spirit and depend on His power, He produces in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
The Role of God’s Promises
God’s promises are a vital tool in the pursuit of holiness. They remind us of His faithfulness and give us hope for the future. By trusting in His promises, we are motivated to live holy lives:
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:3–4).
Meditating on God’s promises strengthens our faith and encourages us to persevere in the pursuit of holiness.
Conclusion
True holiness comes through union with Christ, faith in the gospel, and the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not achieved by human effort or external rules but by relying on God’s grace and power. As we trust in Christ, walk in the Spirit, and cling to God’s promises, we are transformed into His likeness and equipped to live for His glory.
This has been a summary of chapter 3 of Walter Marshall’s The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification.
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