Subject: IS there any answers out there? |
Bible Note: [The pursuit of holiness is a lifelong struggle of waging a fierce war against one's sin (1 Peter 2:11) and putting one's sin to death (Colossians 3). It is effort on our part (hence all the New Testament commands to "strive" and "press on" and "labor"), but the strength comes from the Spirit of God (Colossians 1:29) and it is God working within us through the means He provides to change our disposition and give us resolve to obey Him (Philippians 2:12-13), all for His glory.] In principle I agree but the specifics are to vague. Peter speaks of purifying ones "soul". To me that speaks of crucifying ones self. "...the violent take it by force". However the violent don't work from their own self effort but from life taught from the "law of Life" [Rom.8.2] So when you speak of the pursuit of holiness it must mean the pursuit of Christ who produces in me the 'fruit' of His Spirit one of which is "Holiness", His. So our effort, in overcoming, is because we take into orselves more of Him [His Law of LIFE] and not a fruit of His character. Today my need may be to be holy but tomorrow what will my need be? Patience? Long suffering? Joy? So as the song says, "Just give me Jesus" and then I must learn to abide in Him to become a "son brought into glory". This is kingdom of God living and the violent do take it by force. |