I am thankful for this book from Jerry Bridges since it contains and expands so much on the topic of sanctification. It’s so helpful for anyone’s Christian walk to learn from this book how foundational it is to be more like Christ.

Sanctification is not a noble pursuit, not a higher pursuit, not an optional pursuit — it is the pursuit of every Christian. It’s as normal, natural, and healthy as a person breathing, walking, and eating. Many a spiritual sickness and weakness is healed by the discipline of holiness. It’s sad to find a saint in a state of slumber or stupor in their fight against sin.

May these select quotes from the book give you a quick overview of the rigorous knowledge on practical holiness you may find contained in this work by Jerry Bridges.

1. Christianity is not a do-it-yourself thing.
2. Holiness is obedience to the will of God in whatever God directs.
3. Holiness and usefulness are linked together. We cannot bring our service to God in an unclean vessel.
4. It is compromise on the little issues that leads to greater downfalls.
5. Holiness is not a series of do’s and don’ts, but conformity to the character of God and obedience to the will of God.
6. God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like Himself.
7. Granted, the love of God to us through Jesus Christ should be our primary motivation to holiness. But a motivation prompted by God’s hatred of sin and His consequent judgment on it is no less biblical.
8. The only safe evidence that we are in Christ is a holy life.
9. To continue to live in sin as a Christian is to go contrary to God’s very purpose for our salvation.
10. When God saves us through Christ, He not only saves us from the penalty of sin, but also from its dominion.
11. We must be careful that we are not the source of temptation to others. For this reason, modesty of dress and actions is required among both men and women.
12. Only those who are obedient — who are pursuing holiness as a way of life — will know the joy that comes from God.
13. Faith enables us to obey when obedience is costly or seems unreasonable to the natural mind.
14. The Bible speaks to us primarily through our reason, and this is why it is so vitally important for our minds to be constantly brought under its influence.
15. It is vain to guard our minds and emotions against that which comes from without if we do not at the same time deal with habits of sin which are within. The battle for holiness must be fought on two fronts without and within. Only then will we see progress toward holiness.
16. There is absolutely no shortcut to holiness that bypasses or gives little priority to a consistent intake of the Bible.
17. The more we ourselves grow in holiness, the more we hate sin.
18. Instead of withdrawing from contact with the world, we must strive to resist its influence.
19. Reason leads the way in understanding the will of God, the will consents to God’s will, then the emotions delights in doing it.
20. True joy comes only from God, and He shares this joy with those who walk in fellowship with Him.