Holiness is not a gift we receive

Excerpt from Chapter 5 of The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges:


Let us first look at God's provision for us.


In the Bible we read, "Therefore do not sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires" (Romans 6:12). The first thing we should notice in this passage is that the pursuit of holiness - this not allowing sin to reign in our mortal bodies - is something we have to do. Paul's statement is one of exhortation. He addressed himself to our wills. He said, "Do not let sin reign," implying that this is something for which we ourselves are responsible. The experience of holiness is not a gift we receive like justification, but something which we are clearly exhorted to work at.


How do you consciously cast out sin and work on your relationship with God?