Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

“Lay aside the sin which so easily entangles us.” Sin habits are a significant factor in our failing to run the race that God has given us with endurance. The verse says, “lay aside the sin,” that sounds so easy, but in reality it is a major struggle, even for the strongest of Christ followers. In yesterday’s blog about endurance the #5 suggestion was pursue righteousness and holiness diligently. The pursuit of righteousness and holiness is more than just trying hard, it is a pursuit that succeeds with wisdom and understanding of ourselves as sinful people and how we function, wisdom and understanding of the principles that God has given to us to succeed in this pursuit and the application of those principles, and the humility needed so that we diligently pursue righteousness and holiness with help from others. Here are a few of the principles that I have learned and use in my own pursuit of holiness.

1. Recognize and admit that God wants us to be righteous. Because our salvation is free and Jesus paid for our sins, there is a huge tendency in the church as a whole to de-emphasize God’s desire for us to be holy. If we fail to focus on the fact that God wants us to be holy we will lose our motivation to pursue it diligently. Most believers major motivation to live right is to avoid the consequences that come into our life from messing up. That certainly is a motivation but usually only works for the big, bad sins, and is not nearly as strong as the desire to please the Lord.

1 Peter 1:15-16 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Colossians 1:21-22 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—

2. God wants me to be holy, so I want to be holy. If my personal desire to be without spot, wrinkle or blemish is lukewarm, I won’t grow much.

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

More tomorrow