The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to run the race of faith with our focus kept on Christ because He gives and sustains our faith until it reaches its goal of total and perfect holiness in glory with Him. Instead, we must keep our eyes focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the author and perfector of our faith. Our race becomes impossible to run when we try to employ our own power rather than by faith in the power of Christ in our lives. We can become consumed with all the sins we battle, the temptations we face, the weights we carry, and all the impediments on the track. ![]() This is so crucial because it is all too easy for us to become focused on all the hindrances we just set aside. Next, to pursue holiness, we must stay focused on Christ. We must not justify our sin but instead we must lay aside all our sins to run the race of faith and pursue holiness in our lives. The problem is, though, that sin so easily entangles us, which is extremely difficult to understand and accept at a practical level for many Christians. This warning should be obvious because people can’t pursue holiness and hang on to sin. We must set aside the things that drain our time, focus, energy, and attention away from what God has called us to do.Ī second hindrance the writer mentions is sin. First, he mentions encumbrances, which are things that are unnecessary or that get in the way of running the race of faith so that we are pursuing holiness. The writer specifically notes two things that cause hindrances to our pursuit of holiness by faith. Hebrews 12 gives us a clear outline and concise summary of how to pursue holiness as a believer.įirst, to pursue holiness, we must set aside hindrances. When we, as Christians, consider these truths about God’s holiness, we might ask, “What comes next now that I have been accepted by God in Christ because of God’s holy grace?”Īs people who love Christ, we want to be holy and pursue holiness – and we all need help with that pursuit. However, God’s holiness does not always end in wrath upon sinners because God, in His holy love, sent His perfect Son to die on the cross and bear the sins of all who would put their faith in Him. God’s holiness results in His wrath on sinners who come to Him in their sins. ![]() God’s holiness has a certain and inevitable impact when He interacts with sinful people. We also have seen why His holiness has this effect upon us, because God is incomparable in His holiness, incorruptibly pure in His holiness, and holy in all His infinite perfections. ![]() Over the course of our study on God’s holiness, we have seen the significance of the Lord’s holiness when His creatures encounter Him, and the reverence and awe His holiness produces.
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