We're trying to find a lifestyle that when we live it satisfies a passion for the supremacy of God, a passion for joy,

and now a passion for practical holiness.

Why do we have a passion for holiness?

First answer here is the only pathway that leads to the twin goals of honoring and enjoying God forever.

No holiness, no heaven.

I'll come back to that.

What do I mean by practical holiness?

It's a common word in the Bible.

It's not common in modern American language.

So what is holiness? I would say three things. It's

obedience to God's word in everyday life. It's talk about it in terms of obedience. It's the

fruit of the Holy Spirit. You could talk about it that way. And being very specific in words

that people do understand, it is genuine love for other people.

Now, where do I get the notion that love is a good summary of holiness?

And I get it from this text.

1st Thessalonians 312 following.

May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another

and for all people just as we do for you so that he may establish your hearts without

blame in holiness before our God and father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Now notice the logic.

May the Lord, this is God's doing, cause you to increase and abound in love.

So that's his prayer.

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