In a blog post entitled "Reminders Are More Effective Than Rebukes" (compare w/ 2 Tim. 4:2), Presbyterian pastor Tullian Tchividjian tells Christians,
Because of Christ's work on your behalf, God does not dwell on your sin the way you do. So, relax and rejoice…and you'll actually start to get better. The irony, of course, is that it's only when we stop obsessing over our own need to be holy and focus instead on the beauty of Christ's holiness, that we actually become more holy!
The irony, of course, is that the Bible never…
tells Christians to relax. Here, instead, is what J. C. Ryle says about the Christian and the pursuit of holiness:
A man who professes to be a true Christian, while he sits still, content with a very low degree of sanctification (if indeed he has any at all), and coolly tells you "he can do nothing," is a very pitiable sight and a very ignorant man. Against this delusion let us watch and be on our guard. The Word of God always addresses its precepts to believers as accountable and responsible beings. If the Saviour of sinners gives us renewing grace and calls us by His Spirit, we may be sure that He expects us to use our grace and not go to sleep. It is forgetfulness of this which causes many believers to "grieve the Holy Spirit," and makes them very useless and uncomfortable Christians. (J. C. Ryle, Holiness)
There is comfort in holiness, and in the vigorous pursuit of it. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6).
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