From Holiness by J.C. Ryle:
Surely that man must be in an unhealthy state of soul who can think of all that Jesus suffered, and yet cling to those sins for which that suffering was undergone. It was sin that wove the crown of thorns; it was sin that pierced our Lord's hands and feet and side; it was sin that brought Him to Gethsemane and Calvary, to the cross and to the grave. Cold must our hearts be if we do not hate sin and labour to get rid of it...
From Holiness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss:
God's goal in saving you was not just to make your few years on planet Earth easier or more enjoyable. He had an eternal end in view. His intent was to make you holy, as He is holy, that you might perfectly glorify Him, that you might bring Him pleasure, and that you might enjoy intimate fellowship with Him for all eternity.
The apostle Paul reminds us that God "chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him." (Ephesians 1:4)
Your holiness is not secondary to whatever other goals you may have for your life - it is God's supreme purpose for your life. It is something He desired, planned, and made provision for before He even created the world...
"Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." (1 John 3:3) When I consider my created purpose and my ultimate destiny ... I am inspired to be intentional about pursuing holiness, in anticipation of that glorious day when I will finally be holy through and through.
Do you share His goal for your life? What are you living for? From the time you put your feet on the floor in the morning till you pillow your head at night, are you consciously cooperating with Him and pursuing His eternal purpose to make you holy?"
