God commands the church to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). We are to live holy and godly lives until the coming of the Lord Jesus (2 Peter 3:9). Yet, there have not been many sermons and/or books on holiness. The only that has come close is Jerry Bridges' classic, The Pursuit of Holiness. Then comes Kevin DeYoung's latest book, The Hole in Our Holiness, which bridges the gap of our love for the gospel and the desire to be holy.
What is the hole in our holiness? DeYoung says, that it is when Christians love gospel-centered living, but think that holy living maybe too legalistic. When we think of holy living, it usually begins with what do I need to give up. DeYoung says that holiness is being obedient to Jesus Christ. Being holy is honoring God in every aspect of our lives.
DeYoung writes, If we abide in Christ we must walk in the same way he walked (1 John 2:6). No abides in Christ keeps on sinning (3:6). Whoever does not love does not have eternal life abiding in him (3:15). Whoever keeps the commandments abides in God and God in him (3:24). If we love another, God abides in us and we abide in God (4:12, 16)...A complete disregard for holiness indicates that we do not have fellowship with Christ and are not in him.
One thing that DeYoung does share that if we fail in holiness, we can receive grace and forgiveness from Jesus. However, just because we can get forgiveness from God, it does not mean we have a license to sin as some people define grace.
I was delighted that DeYoung wrote this book. I believe this will indeed be a classic book on holiness that every Christian, new or maturing, would benefit from. I highly recommend this book.
Thanks Crossway for letting me review this book.
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