Happy New Year! We have had an eventful holiday season-one that has kept me from the blog-as we welcomed our newest little Hutto to the family. Owen Kristopher Hutto was born on December 21st and is both healthy and beautiful. We are praising the Lord for his kindness to bless us with this most precious of gifts at Christmas time!
Today we begin a new year of The Book Club by diving into Kevin DeYoung‘s The Hole in Our Holiness. Throughout the month of January we will be reading and discussing DeYoung’s newest book which focuses on the relationship of the pursuit of personal holiness and the grace of God-through the gospel-which makes that pursuit possible. What an excellent way to begin the new year! I would love for you to join in.
Each week I will be posting discussion questions here at the blog and look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book and related topics. Simply leave your answers in the comments and be sure to check back to see what kind of feedback your comment receives from me and/or other participants! I look forward to working through this book together!
Week 1
The aim of DeYoung’s book is to emphasize the importance of the gospel driven pursuit of holiness. In chapter one J.C. Ryle is quoted as saying:
We must be holy, because this is one grand end and purpose for which Christ came into the world… Jesus is a complete Saviour. He does not merely take away the guilt of a believer’s sin, he does more–he breaks its power (1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 12:10).
The point being made by Ryle-and of course DeYoung-is that Christ hasn’t just saved us from something (the penalty of our sin), but has saved us out of something as well (the bondage of our sin). Thus, it makes complete sense for us to push with all our might toward the goal of holiness–toward eradicating sin from our lives. Later in the same paragraph, DeYoung makes this conclusion: “Shouldn’t those most passionate about the gospel and God’s glory also be those most dedicated to the pursuit of godliness?” I would have to agree. It would be a great waste of the costly grace purchased by Christ on the cross to not purposefully work toward putting off the old sinful flesh and putting on the new Christlike nature.
One of my favorite quotes from the first couple chapters is this one found at the end of Chapter 2:
In all this it bears repeating that God is the one working in us, giving us the desire and ability to obey. We earn nothing. We are promised everything. But don’t be so scared of works-righteousness that you make pale what the Bible writes in bold colors. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). And we were created in Christ Jesus for Good works (v. 10). Any gospel which purports to save people without also transforming them is inviting easy-believism. If you think being a Christian is nothing more than saying a prayer or joining a church, then you’ve confused real grace with cheap grace. Those who are justified will be sanctified.
Though, as passionate gospel-believing Christians, we never want to be found putting stock in our own abilities (what abilities do we have apart from Christ?) or trusting in our own works for salvation (which would be absolutely impossible!), we must acknowledge and firmly stand on the Biblical call to strive toward holiness. As the book of James confirms “faith apart from works is dead.”
Discussion Questions for Week One:
As you read this week, come back to this post and join in the conversation! Leave your thoughts in the comments!
1.) When you think of the concept of personal holiness, what thoughts come to mind? What is your definition of holiness and how do you think this book will challenge/encourage your view of your own pursuit of holiness?
2.) Share your favorite quotes with us. How were they helpful to you?
3.) Do you agree with DeYoung’s premise that while we must both rest fully in what Christ has accomplished for us while also actively pursuing holiness? Why or why not?
Can’t join in this month? Join us next month as we read Feminine Threads by Diana Lynn Severance.
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I think that I had never given enough thought to my own holiness. DeYoung is thoughtfully opening my eyes to the fact of my own call to holliness. I have several favorite bits so far but a one that stands out is, ” Heaven is for those who conquer,for those who overcome the temptation to abandon Jesus Christ and compromise their faith”(pg 14).” It made me think about all the decisions I made as a young adult that could easily been seen as abandoning Jesus for my own desires.. A struggle that I still face often. To live for me and gratify my own desires or to live for him.
I do agree with DeYoung regarding the fact that we that we must trust in Jesus savign grace while also continuing the pursuit of holiness. I think that it is because of his grace and forgiveness that we can even begin to try to become more like Christ..more holy.
Brandy, isn’t it wonderful to think that the fact that you are still “in the faith” today is evidence that you are “conquering” and you are “overcoming” (even if it is hard to see at times)? How blessed we are to have a complete Savior who has promised to present us to the Father spotless on the last day!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I look forward to hearing more!
Hi Jessalyn and others~
i just have to say I’ve only read Chapter One so far and already resonate with so much that the author has mentioned. Thank you for recommending this book~what a perfect way to begin a New Year! In Christ~Lyn
I’m so glad you are joining us Lyn! I look forward to reading along with you and hearing your thoughts!
Hi everyone. I’ve been so looking forward to starting with this book club this month. I’ve only read the first 2 chapters so far, but I’m really enjoying the book so far. Here’s my answer to Jessalyn’s first question:
1) I’ve always known that personal holiness in the Christian life is important, but it’s hard to think of how that might truly look like in practice. Is it just all about reading my Bible more, and praying more, and learning to hold my tongue more often? I don’t know if this book is going to give me those kind of practical pointers, but I’m looking forward to be re-challenged to take holiness more seriously. I guess holiness for me is kind of equated with godliness – a ‘holy’ person, or at least someone who’s further down the road of personal holiness, is someone whose life is just all about the Lord. Everything they do is for Him and through Him. They radiate love for Him and their life is characterised by obedience to Him. A truly holy person lives out their faith through wonderful acts of kindness and self-sacrifice. They are self-effacing and full of the joy of the Lord.
Hi Catherine! I am so excited to get to know you more through the Book Club! Excellent thoughts… I agree with your perception of holiness. I do think that it is interchangeable with godliness and that it therefore means all of the things you listed below. Conformity to the character of God (perfection) is what we strive toward, though we know we will never fully take on Christ’s character until sin is completely eradicated from our lives (when we are transformed in glory). What a day that will be. I think that he will get into some specifics, but I don’t know how much yet… I look forward to digging into it with you!
And here are my answers to the second question, on favourite quotes:
Chapter 1:
“The hole in our holiness is that we don’t really care much about it….Too many sermons are basically self-help seminars on becoming a better you…Any gospel which says only what you must do and never announces what Christ has done is no gospel at all.”
I love that thought that holiness is not just about improving my behaviour – it’s a response to the core message of the gospel and it has to start from there.
“The Great Commission is about holiness. God wants the world to know Jesus, believe in Jesus, and obey Jesus. We don’t take the Great Commission seriously if we don’t help each other grow in obedience.”
It was helpful to be reminded of this, and challenged again to think about ‘obedience’.
Chapter 2:
“The Bible could not be any clearer. The reason for your entire salvation, the design behind your deliverance, the purpose for which God chose you in the first place is holiness.”
I found DeYoung’s obervation on this so helpful – it’s what the Christian life is all about, it’s what we’ve been called to. To often we lose sight of that in the day to day grittiness of life, or in trying to build up credits by doing lots of ‘good works’ and then thinking that we’re OK as we are. Holiness is a quest and the journey is long and not without hardships, but oh there are so many joys along the way.
Great quotes Catherine and thanks for sharing your responses to them! The need to keep the gospel your focus and motivation is so important–otherwise we are just participating in a works-based religion and not one that is driven by the grace of God.
I love this book and am almost finished. One thought that sticks with me is when he talked about when we judge grey area like tv and music is to ask “can I thank God for that”.
(I hope I am not ahead of the questions)
Catherine, those were quotes I liked as well.
“The Great Commission is about holiness….we don’t take the Great Commission seriously
if we don’t hlep each other grown in obedience….how easy is it to be content with leading people to make decisions for Christ instead of focusing on making disciples of Christ.
sorry, accidently clicked post… to continue I love this quote because I think it points to a problem in many churches or why there is no growth in peoples lives. They either made a “decision”, “walked an isle”, “prayed a prayer” without being discipled or truly coming into relationship with Jesus. The focus has been on a decision and not on discipelship.
Thank you for recommending this book and all you do for the kingdom!
God Bless You!
So glad to hear from you Kim! I haven’t yet gotten to the “grey” areas part yet, but think that is an excellent point. We tend to think things that are “grey” are neutral, but surely depending on our heart motives, the thoughts they inspire, and the effect they have on the Lord’s glory, he has an opinion about them! -if that makes sense.
Thank YOU for your participation and adding your voice to the Book Club! <3
I am really enjoying this book! I’ve read Chapters 1 and 2 two times. lol Lots of great insight and I’ve learned a lot already. Love reading all of your insights. Glad to be here with you all!
Question 1: When I think of holiness I think of the example of Jesus when He lived here on earth. I think of being set apart. I hope after reading this book, my understanding will be such that I can adequately explain it to others and that what I’ve learned will be evidenced in my own life.
Question 2: My favorite quotes include the following from Chapter 1… “My fear is that as we rightly celebrate, and in some quarters rediscover, all that Christ has saved us from, we are giving little thought and making little effort concerning all that Christ has saved us to.”
…”It is only by trusting in him and being forgiven by his substitutionary sacrifice that we are even capable of walking in his ways. You can’t make good fruit grow from bad trees. The demands of Jesus cannot be separated from his person and work. Whatever holiness he requires is as the fruit of his redeeming work and for the display of his personal glory.”
…”One reason God’s holy people do not pursue holiness is that they have not yet been born again by the Holy Spirit.”
These quotes encourage me that holiness in the Lord is possible for a believer. When we have the Holy Spirit of God living in us and we are actively submitting to His work in our hearts and lives, then holiness unto the Lord can be a reality.
Question 3: Yes, I do agree with DeYoung’s premise that we can both both rest fully in what Christ has accomplished for us while also actively pursuing holiness. In my opinion, it is because of what Jesus accomplished that we, too, can live a holy life. Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law in the life He lived, His death, and His resurrection. When we are born again, we have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. We can pursue holy lives when we are resting fully in what Christ has accomplished (fulfilling the requirements of the Law)…submitting to and walking in the Spirit, thus denying the works of the flesh.
Thanks for joining in in the conversation Laurie! I am so glad that you get to take part. I love what you said about Jesus being the epitome of holiness. Two truths come to mind: if Jesus is the exact representation of God then of course everything he did was completely holy, and then the fact that Jesus was the perfect human (the second and better Adam) who came to renew the fallen creation. In both of these truths we see a different aspect of his holiness and our call/ability to live holy lives now that he has redeemed us! Praise God!
I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts Laurie!