Holiness: God's Call to Sanctification

by Joel R. Beeke

(God's Call to Santification) This is an easily read and modern treatment of one of the most important teachings of Scripture. It shows that holiness is primarily a matter of relationships, that its power lies in the Holy Spirit within the believer, and that its fruit is of supreme importance for the progress of all true Christianity.

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Christianity

32 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1994

About the author

Dr. Joel R. Beeke serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been in the ministry since 1978 and has served as a pastor of his current church, Heritage Reformed Congregation, since 1986. He is also editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or edited fifty books and contributed over fifteen hundred articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. (1988) from Westminster Theological Seminary is in Reformation and Post-Reformation Theology. He is frequently called upon to lecture at Reformed seminaries and to speak at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Mary, have three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.

Reviews

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beeke writes on the deep subject of holiness.

- Three things one must pursue if they desire holiness. -

1. Conformity to the character of God the Father.
2. Conformity to the image of Christ.
3. Conformity to the mind of the Spirit.

- Ten reasons to pursue holiness. -

1. God has called you to holiness.
2. Holiness gives evidence of your justification and election.
3. Without holiness, all things are defiled.
4. Holiness augments your spiritual health.
5. Holiness fosters assurance.
6. Holiness is essential for effective service to God.
7. Holiness makes you resemble God.
8. The God you love, loves holiness.
9. Holiness preserves your integrity.
10. Holiness fits you for heaven.

- Ten ways to pursue holiness. -

1. Know and relish Scripture.
2. Strive for constant faith.
3. If you would grow in holiness, ask always: "What would Christ do?"
4. Breathe after the Spirit.
5. Associate with mentors in holiness.
6. Pray for holiness.
7. Regard yourselves as dead to the dominion of sin and as alive to God in Christ.
8. Nurture, and persevere in, personal discipline.
9. Develop a Biblical formula for holy living.
10. Live "present tense," total commitment.

- Four ways that can impede our holiness. -

1. Our attitude to sin and life itself is prone to be more self-centered than God-centered.
2. We fail when we do not consciously live with our priorities fixed on God's will.
3. Our progress is dampened when we misunderstand "living by faith" (Gal. 2:20) to imply that no effort towards holiness is commanded of us.
4. We are generally too prone to avoid the battle of daily spiritual warfare.

- Three joys we attain when pursuing holiness. -

1. The supreme joy: Fellowship with God.
2. The ongoing joy: Trusting obedience.
3. The anticipated Joy: Eternal, gracious reward.


As always, Beeke is practical down to the rudiments of daily life. Puritan quotes and theology are littered through every page. And you will be spurred on towards taking action without feeling bruised and beaten down at the end of every page.

[Andrzej Stelmasiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any book on holiness that doesn't start by looking at what does it mean for God to be holy, even when there was nothing from which He could be separate, will ultimately lead to 'separateness' (however defined) being the essence of it, and that's like making cart to be a horse.
And one gets the impression that the history has ended on the Puritans, there was nothing in between them and us, apart from some aberrations.
Other than that, helpful, especially 'practical' tips.

[Micah McCollum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. I only wish it was longer and Beeke had been able to expound more.

“Holiness is an internal reality for all who are united with Christ. Even though a child of God often feels how unholy he is in himself and would not dare to call himself a ‘saint’, God views all His elect as holy and saintly in and through the perfect active and passive obedience of his well-beloved Son. For Christ’s sake, their state is holy before God and their condition is made holy by the indwelling Spirit.” (Beeke, pg. 9)

[Valerie Hash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convicting.

[Jesse Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Holiness” is a clear-cut and easy-to-read overview of the doctrine of personal holiness. But what is holiness? Joel Beeke defines holiness as being “set apart from common secular use for the purpose of being devoted to God” (Loc. 30). But this ‘separation from sin’ and ‘consecration to God’ (Loc. 39) is not viewed as an endless list of rules. Holiness is not a vision to be 'holier than thou' to seek worldly trophies like social superiority. The author makes the refreshing point that holiness is an authentic lifestyle that flows from the gratitude of our salvation (Loc. 50). The blood of Christ wins us our status of holiness. Our gratitude impassions that very life of holiness (Loc. 112). In this posture of deep-seated joy, the threats of ‘moralistic legalism’ (Loc. 30) and ‘spiritual fruitlessness’ (Loc. 222) lose their power. What a great, little, practical book! I would recommend it to anyone serious about practical Christianity.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beeke explains what Holiness is and encourages believers to pursue Holiness.
We are not instructed to be passive in receiving Holiness but to strive towards it.
Noteworthy: Beeke briefly touches on the Church's historical views about Holiness, here he mentioned the misguidedness of both asceticism and mysticism.
Also, Beeke emphasizes that daily personal prayer and Bible reading are essential for sanctification.

[Christie Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Approachable breakdown on sanctification by means of holiness. Contains practical language surrounding holiness as has been seen through church history as well as today. This booklet provides helpful Scripture references, steps, and actions one might take to pursue holiness, as well as unpacking a handful of ways holiness is impeded.

Excellent primer for putting practice into action.

[Logan Hunsberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy short read on the Holiness of God and what it means for us in our walk with the Lord. Deep Scriptural foundation and very helpful to put simply what it looks like to live a Holy life in the Lord. Focusing on Holiness for worship this week so this has helped give a good picture of what Holiness in the Lord looks like.

[Miles Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good short overview of holiness.

[Shaun M. Hewlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but ever so sweet. This is one to re read at least once a year, maybe even more regularly. I think more of the book is highlighted than un-highlighted

[Mark A Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concept of holiness sounds foreign to many, who assume it beyond their ability. In one sense, that is right, but as Beeke wisely points out, holiness is not only commanded by God, it is empowered by Him. We cannot produce holiness within ourselves, but in Christ we are both made holy before God and made capable of living holy day by day. Though brief, Beeke has provided a practical, Scripturally-sound primer on this important doctrine.

[Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good, and theologically sound, short book on what the Biblical definition of holiness is.

[Bruno Matias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simples, pequeno, mas bom.