The process of sanctification pleases God; not just the final destination of when we see Jesus face-to-face and we are made like Him. Without holiness no one will see God and as Christians we are called to be holy as He is holy. It will be a lifelong pursuit.

We are saved, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to the mercy of God. Yet in scripture there is a direct correlation between being saved and growing in holiness. We have a desire to pursue holiness because Jesus Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, in order that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. (1 Peter 2:24)

John Piper defines holiness like this: “human holiness is to know the true greatness and beauty and worth of God, and to have desires that conform to that knowledge. They’re the attitudes and words and actions that follow.”

Scripture also acknowledges that the fight against sin will be an intense struggle throughout our lives. We all stumble in many ways while we desire to pursue righteousness because our natural human desires are always warring against us.  

Lately this thought has been encouraging my heart greatly: the Lord is pleased with every step towards holiness, starting with being brought to confession and repentance. Jesus is a gentle and kind Savior; and He invites us to find rest in the salvation He has already secured for us as we are in the process of becoming more like Him. Every step of faithful obedience honors God. Again, it is the process of sanctification that pleases God, not just the final destination.

Matt Chandler wonderfully illustrates our growth into holiness with a baby learning to walk. We celebrate a baby’s first steps with great joy even though the first steps are mixed with many tumbles and falls between each step. No one is shocked by or ridicules a fall.  We know that as a baby continues to get back up after falling, eventually their steps will become more steady and consistent until they are running one day. It is the same in the Christian life. Our weak, unsteady steps of obedience are celebrated by our Father in Heaven for “by a single offering he (Jesus) has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14) Eventually our weak, unsteady steps become stronger as the Lord continues to work in our lives.

May we work hard in our pursuit of holiness and remember at all times that it is God’s power at work within us to bring about what pleases Him. The Lord celebrates every step of obedience and that blessed assurance will spur us on in our pursuit of holiness!