I would like to begin this week by thanking everyone who participated in last week’s discussion. It was a joy to hear your thoughts and interact with you! This week we will be discussing topics from chapters 1-5.
In Chapter 3 Kevin DeYoung gives several descriptions/definitions of what it means to be holy. At the most basic level, holiness is being set apart from the world or unlike the world and its hatred for righteousness. It means being “like God” who is himself completely holy. At one point DeYoung clarifies that it is not the outward conformity to righteousness that makes one holy, but rather it is a changing of the very character of a person that sets him apart unto God as holy:
Christians often equate holiness with activism and spiritual disciplines. And while it’s true that activism is often the outgrowth of holiness and spiritual disciplines are necessary for the cultivation of holiness, the pattern of piety in the Scriptures is more explicitly about our character. We put off sin and put on righteousness. We put to death the deeds of the flesh and put on Christ. To use the older language, we pursue the mortification of the old man and the vivification of the new.
You can think of holiness, to imply a metaphor, as the sanctification of your body. The mind is filled with the knowledge of God and fixed on what is good. The eyes turn away from sensuality and shudder at the sight of evil. The mouth tells the truth and refuses to gossip, slander, or speak what is course or obscene. The spirit is earnest, steadfast, and gentle. The heart is full of joy instead of hopelessness, patience instead of irritability, kindness instead of anger, humility instead of pride, and thankfulness instead of envy. The sexual organs are pure, being reserved for the privacy of marriage between one man and one woman. The feet move toward the lowly and away from senseless conflict, divisions, and wild parties. The hands are quick to help those in need and ready to fold in prayer. This is the anatomy of holiness.
Can you imagine a holiness that is so pervasive and life altering such as what is described above apart from the powerful work of the Holy Spirit who is continually conforming us to the image of Christ? Of course not. It is this incredible gospel that we believe and trust in that makes such a thing possible. Furthermore, DeYoung goes on in the chapter to say: “If holiness looks like the restoration of the image of God in us, then it shouldn’t be surprising that holiness also looks like Christlikeness, for Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15) and the exact imprint of his nature (Heb. 1:3). The whole goal of our salvation is that we should be conformed to the image of God’s Son (Rom. 8:29). We see in Jesus the best, most practical, most human example of what it means to be holy.” Praise God that because of what Christ has accomplished for us and the generous outpouring of his Spirit now living in us, we are able to strive toward a life that is like his: loving, passionate, righteous, honest, humble, obedient, honorable, and so much more!
The book goes on in the next couple chapters to explain how we not only are given the ability to obey, but should wholeheartedly desire to obey and delight in the law of God. We are reminded that the law is a reflection of our holy God who has redeemed us and brought us into his family as his sons and daughters. The powerful work that Christ accomplished for us on the cross has taken what was once an impossibility (obedience to the law of God) and very much a damning standard and made it not only possible but desirable to our new redeemed natures. It is a both a gift and privilege to strive toward holiness–it is what we were saved for. How great is this grace that has been shown to us?
Discussion Questions for Week 2
As you read this week, come back to this post and join in the conversation! Leave your thoughts in the comments!
1. DeYoung suggests that “The simplest way to judge gray areas like movies, television, and music is to ask one simple question: can I thank God for this?” Do you think applying this principle to your own life would have an effect on the things you are entertained by? If so, how? What other areas of life can you apply this principle to?
2. How do you view the Law of God? Do you see it as a burden or delight? Has your reading of chapter four impacted your view of the Law? If so how?
3. What are some of your favorite quotes from your reading this week? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Can’t join in this month? Join us next month as we read Feminine Threads by Diana Lynn Severance.
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I just received my book (finally) by mail today. I am behind, but will catch up quickly. I enjoyed reading everyone’s thoughts from week 1 and I am looking forward to catching up and joining you for this week’s thoughts. God bless you all as you continue.
I’m so excited that you will be joining us Jennifer! Don’t feel rushed, we are all at different places. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
1. While I haven’t necessarily been asking “can I thank God for this,” during the last couple of years or so I have seen a change in what I watch (tv and movies), what I listen to (music), what I allow myself to say and do. I have been more concerned with doing and saying those things that are most pleasing to God, which is very similar. In the car I have the radio on stations that play Christian/gospel music. Just last week my husband rented a movie so that we could have time together, but there was so much cursing and casual sex (the title didn’t suggest this) that I decided I wouldn’t watch beyond the first thirty minutes.
I am a public school teacher and I want what I say to my students, how I interact with my students, and how I respond to my students (in difficult situations) to be pleasing to God at ALL times. (Of course I want the same for my own kids at home.)
2. I’ve always felt the need to line my life up with the law of God. I’m sure at times I considered it to be a burden (though I might not have necessarily voiced that opinion aloud) – rule following. As I continue to mature as a Christian (I’m 31) it brings me joy to know that God is pleased with me. Reading chapter 4 (and the book in general) has sparked a fire in me – living a holy life is possible, and it’s what God desires and requires of me! How can I profess to be born again, if I continue to live like those in the world. I shouldn’t look like them, talk like them, or act like them. Going forth I will give priority to learning the Word, teaching the Word to my four children, and living the Word without shame or guilt. I will live so as to bring glory to God.
3. Favorite quotes:
“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.”
“But the world’s holiness is not found in being true to God; it’s found in being true to yourself.”
“To be sure, cultural values will sometimes overlap with biblical values. . . . The world stands for everything that opposes the will of God. . . . Or to put it another way, worldliness is whatever makes sin look normal and righteousness look strange.”
“Preachers must preach the law without embarrassment. Parent must insist on obedience without shame. The law can, and should, be urged upon true believers – not to condemn, but to correct and to promote Christlikeness.”
Hi Bridgette! I am so glad that you have been encouraged by this book! I love how while the truths explained in the book call us to a greater purity and holiness, they are at the same time freeing and life-giving truths. The Law-which was a burden to the people of God before Christ-can now truly be a delight because we have been given new natures and have the ability to obey the Lord! Praise God! I love the quotes you shared! Thanks for taking part in the discussion!
Hi everyone. Here is my answer to Qu 1 for this week:
I’m not sure that “Can I thank God for this?” is the best question for me. I can imagine sitting in front of a huge slice of chocolate cake, about to break my diet, and thinking “Yes, I can thank God for this delicious tasting food!”, or sitting down in front of the TV to watch an episode of Friends that I’ve already seen about 5 times and thinking “Yes, I can thank God for this funny TV show that makes me laugh and helps me relax for half an hour”. However, it doesn’t mean that I should be watching it. Perhaps God wants me to use my time in a more profitable, intentional way. I think a better question for me would be “Is doing this pleasing to God right now?” I guess I’m thinking of Paul’s “Everything is permissable, but not everything is beneficial” statement.
Catherine I prefer the “Is this pleasing to God right now?” question as well. I think the intent may be the same as the author intended.
Ha ha! I love the chocolate cake example! I understand what you are saying, though I do think that is what DeYoung is getting at, just in a different kind of way. Your question makes more practical sense to me too though.
And here’s my answer to Qu 2:
I found the quote from C.S. Lewis helpful, about delight in the law being like delight at having firm ground under your feet after walking through muddy fields (being British myself I can totally relate to this!). I also found it really helpful when DeYoung lists all those reasons (with Bible verses) for why we should obey the Law – that it’s not just simply “because we’re so thankful for what God’s done”, but there are lots of other good reasons too. I always felt a bit uncomfortable reading John 15v10, the idea that if we keep Jesus’ commands then we will abide in his love. It always felt a bit ‘anti-grace’ to me, and I often wondered “Perhaps he’s just talking about the command to love one another, not all these other ‘do’s and ‘don’t's”. Chapter 4 encouraged me to ‘love the imperatives’.
It is very interesting how the works and grace aspects of Christian theology work together. I really enjoyed reading in chapter 7 (sorry to skip ahead, but it applies to what you have said) about how our union with Christ keeps these from being at odds with one another. Christ can truly command us to obey him in order to abide in his love without being an ungracious Ruler because it is our identity in HIM that allows us to do so. Marvelous grace! Thank you for sharing Catherine!
Finally, here are some favourite quotes from the reading this week:
Chapter 3:
“Worldliness is whatever makes sin look normal and righteousness look strange.”
I found that a helpful distinction.
“If holiness looks like the restoration of the image of God in us, then it shouldn’t be surprising that holiness also looks like Christlikeness.”
Chapter 4:
“That last sentence – we should do what the Bible tells us to do – is obvious to most Christians. But I want to go a step further. I want you to unashamedly love, and not be afraid to land on, the imperatives of Scripture.”
“So, there’s no abiding in Christ’s love apart from keeping Christ’s commandments (John 15:10). Which means there is no fullness of joy apart from the pursuit of holiness (v11).”
Chapter 5:
“God not only works obedience in us by his grace, it’s also by his grace that our imperfect obedience is acceptable in his sight.”
I found the discussion of Isaiah 64:5 (about our righteousness being like filthy rags) really enlightening. The idea that it’s a false humility to say that nothing we do can please God.
“What sort of father looks at his daughter’s homemade birthday card and complains that the color scheme is all wrong?……There is no righteousness that makes us right with God except for the righteousness of Christ. But for those who have been made right with God by grace alone through faith alone and therefore adopted into God’s family, many of our righteous deeds are not only not filthy in God’s eyes, they are exceedingly sweet, precious, and pleasing to him.”
I also found the observation that the Bible teaches that some sins are worse than others helpful. “It seems humble to act as if no sin is worse that another, but we lose the impetus for striving and the ability to hold each other accountable when we tumble down the slip-n-slide of moral equivalence.”
Oh yes, all of these were favorites of mine. I too found the discussion of Isaiah 64 very interesting. It definitely sheds a different light on desiring to please the Lord and him actually being pleased. Also, the quote about being unashamed to love the imperatives of the Bible. It seems like the trend these days (even within solid, biblical churches) is to shy away from the imperatives in an effort to experience the freedom of gospel grace, and yet, the imperatives are given to us out of his grace as well. Good thoughts.
P.S. Bridgette – I only just saw your comment, and your answer to Question 1 was very similar to mine
1. DeYoung suggests that “The simplest way to judge gray areas like movies, television, and music is to ask one simple question: can I thank God for this?” Do you think applying this principle to your own life would have an effect on the things you are entertained by? If so, how? What other areas of life can you apply this principle to?
My husband and I firmly believing in asking “can I thank God for this?” or “would God approve of this?” when it comes to filtering what we allow in our lives, in the life of our children, and in our home. It is for this reason, we do not watch anything above the rating of PG for movies, do not watch most of what is on TV these days, and listen to Christian music (enjoy other types of music such as Classical and Oldies). I also like to apply this principle in my behavior in how I treat others.
2. How do you view the Law of God? Do you see it as a burden or delight? Has your reading of chapter four impacted your view of the Law? If so how?
I would say that I delight in the Law of God because it is nothing I can accomplish in my own flesh, but only through the power of His Holy Spirit at work in me as I daily surrender to Him. We can look at God’s Law as character promises from God in how He can change our character once we have surrendered completely to Him. As Jesus says in John 14:15: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”. I love Jesus, therefore, I will obey His commands. Chapter Four has encouraged me and been a confirmation for me in what I feel God has already impressed upon my heart.
3. What are some of your favorite quotes from your reading this week?
“Christians often speak of the three uses of the law. The first is to lead us to Christ by convicting us of sin. The second is to restrain the wickedness in the world. The third use is to help us learn the nature of the Lord’s will, acting as a kind of blueprint for holiness.”
“Jesus connects communion with God with keeping commandments. When we keep Christ’s commandments, we love him.”
“To hate all rules is to hate God himself who ordained his rules to reflect his nature. The law is God’s plan for his sanctified people to enjoy communion with him.”
“Let us not be afraid to land on law – never as the means of meriting justification, but as the proper expression of having received it.”
Sorry I’m late in posting this. I’ve enjoyed reading all your comments!
Faithfully,
Laurie