Today the book club moves on to the second half of Kevin DeYoung’s book The Hole In Our Holiness.
Chapters 6 and 7 contain beautiful and vital truths for the Christian life. They are beautiful because they explain the marvelous grace shown to us through the gospel of Jesus Christ, but they are also vital because they explain how that grace impacts our ability to pursue holiness. Take for instance this quote from chapter 6:
The same Spirit who was present at creation and caused you to be born again is at work to empower your inner person (that is, your will or heart) so that you might resist sins you couldn’t resist before and do the good things which would otherwise be impossible. Defeatist Christians who do not fight against sins because they figure they were “born this way” or “will never change” or “don’t have enough faith” are not being humble. They dishonor the Holy Spirit who strengthens us with supernatural power.
Previously, DeYoung dispelled the idea that focusing on the gospel and actively pursuing holiness were at odds with each other. The work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life is a perfect example of how the two–gospel truth and the call to holiness–work hand in hand. The Spirit who saves us is powerfully at work within us–giving us the ability to obey and walk in righteousness. I think we have a tendency to view the Spirit’s work of allowing us to say no to sin and yes to righteousness as the easy part and our part of actually following through as the difficult part, but it is the very power of the Holy Spirit that not only frees us, but motivates us, and empowers us to obey. It is him all the way! We must push with all our might toward holiness because he is supplying supernatural strength for us in the war against sin. With such a supply of grace available to us, it would be ridiculous and lazy to not put forth effort.
My favorite chapter thus far has been chapter 7 where DeYoung explores the implications of our union with Christ. This truly is a concept that is often overlooked by many Christians and one that I, myself, yearn to understand more deeply. It truly is, as is described below the difference between legalism and a genuine and victorious pursuit of holiness:
Apart from our union with Christ every effort to imitate Christ, no matter how noble and inspired at the outset, inevitably leads to legalism and spiritual defeat. But once you understand the doctrine of union with Christ, you see that God doesn’t ask us to attain to what we’re not. He only calls us to accomplish what already is. The pursuit of holiness is not a quixotic effort to do just what Jesus did. It’s the fight to live out the life that has already been made alive in Christ.
Isn’t it marvelous to think that everything we have been asked to do, every way we have been asked to obey, every sin we have been asked to forsake has been provided for in our Savior? We are not alone in this fight, but rather we are bound to Christ in every way. He is our righteousness and has provided all that we need to walk in that righteousness. What a blessing it is to pursue this holiness–this gift–he has given us!
Discussion Questions for Week 3
As you read this week, come back to this post and join in the conversation! Leave your thoughts in the comments!
1. In chapter 6 DeYoung loosely quotes J.C. Ryle as saying, “The child of God has two great marks about him: he is known for his inner warfare and his inner peace.” What does this truth communicate to you? Can you give a scripture reference for each of the “marks” Ryle is referring to?
2. 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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Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their reading as much as I am. Praying for you Jessalyn as you fulfill your calling as a mother. May you find peace and moments of joy throughout your day with your precious ones.
1. In chapter 6 DeYoung loosely quotes J.C. Ryle as saying, “The child of God has two great marks about him: he is known for his inner warfare and his inner peace.” What does this truth communicate to you? Can you give a scripture reference for each of the “marks” Ryle is referring to?
Our inner warfare is between the flesh and the Spirit. Our inner peace is that Jesus fulfilled the Law in his life, death, and resurrection and we now have the same power of the Holy Spirit at work inside us to overcome the desires of the flesh. We will be a constant battle with our flesh until we get to heaven. The scripture that comes to my mind for the inner warfare is Galatians 5:17 (NKJV): “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” The scripture that comes to mind for the inner peace is Matthew 5:17 (NIV): “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
2. What are some of your favorite quotes from your reading this week?
“It would be a big mistake to think justification is all about God and sanctification is all about us. We want to work and serve and speak, not in our own strength bu in the strength that God supplies.”
“To summarize, then, the Spirit is a light to us in three ways. (1) He exposes sin so that we can recognize it and turn away. (2) He illumines the Word so that we can understand its meaning and grasp its implications. (3) He takes the veil away so that we can see the glory of Christ and become what we behold.”
“Because when it comes to growth in godliness, trusting does not put an end to trying.”
“No aspect of our salvation can be excluded from our union with Him. This is the foundation and basis for all His gifts.”
“Union with Christ is really the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation not only in its application but also in its once-for-all accomplishment in the finished work of Christ.”
In Christ,
Laurie
Thanks so much Laurie!
I especially love the verses you chose to share question one. I think we have a tendency to live in light of one of the truths mentioned and not both. How blessed we are to not only have the ability to fight sin, but to know that the victory has been won by Christ!
I think the idea of all the aspects of our salvation being included in our union with Christ as you quoted above is so important. There is so much to be learned in this area of union with Christ… I feel like this book will only scratch the surface!
I am loving this book and have learned so much. Chapter 7 has been my most favorite chapter so far although I didn’t share my favorite quotes from it in my original post. There was so much of it I did highlight in my Nook though.
Question 1:
That J.C. Ryle quote was a favourite quote of mine too.
Inner warfare:
“…. make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness…..” 2 Peter 1v5,6
(also, other ones listed in the chapter: Romans 8:13, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3;5, 1 Tim 6:12, Luke 13:24, 1 Cor 9:24-27, Phil 3:12-14)
When I think of Inner Warfare, I think of the fight that we have to fight against sin, the flesh and the devil as we strive (together with Christ, and in Christ, and in the Spirit’s power) towards holiness.
Inner peace:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26v3
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4v7
When I think of Inner Peace I think of the peace we have in our souls now that we are no longer under God’s condemnation, now that we no longer have to strive for His acceptance, and now that we are walking with Him we no longer need to fear the consequences of our own decisions and situations because we know that He is in control.
It is incredible to think that we are completely accepted by the Lord and that all of our striving is in light of that truth! Praise God!
Question 2: Here were some of my favourite quotes from the two chapters:
Chapter 6:
“It would be a big mistake to think justification is all about God and sanctification is all about us. We want to work and serve and speak, not in our own strength, but in the strength that God supplies.”
This is one half of the coin, where we think we’re on our own when it comes to striving for holiness, and we inevitably get bogged down in our own effort, exhausted and discouraged.
“Defeatist Christians who do not fight against sins because they figure they were “born this way” or “will never change” or “don’t have enough faith” are not being humble. They dishonour the Holy Spirit who strengthens us with supernatural power.”
This is the other half of the coin, where it’s tempting just to ‘let go and let God’, to relax in our knowledge that we’ve already been saved and justified, and to think that God doesn’t care too much about the rest as long as we don’t do anything too bad.
“..when we are grateful, we’re not only eager to please God, we’re less likely to get bogged down in ungodliness.”
I liked this reminder, that thankfulness fuels our faith.
Chapter 7:
“Christlikeness is possible, but not by merely working with Jesus or simply imitating his example. Only by knowing our position in Jesus can we begin to live like Jesus”
This kind of summed up the whole of Chapter 7 – understanding what it means to be in Jesus and how that affects our battle against sin.
I just really appreciated the statement that if we think we will never overcome a particular sin, we are dishonoring the Holy Spirit. He is so powerful and cares so deeply about our sanctification, we must hope in him and is strength, not our own!