Editors note: The purpose of this series is to help our readers think through what holiness is, and how to reflect the holiness of God through Christ in a sinful world.

• Chris Poblete shares David Brainerd’s thoughts on longing for holiness.
• C. Walter wrote on the beauty of holiness.
• Brian shared directions to walking with God.
• Dave wrote on three ways to pursue purity.
• Zach wrote on three lessons we can learn from Judas Iscariot.
• Mike Boling wrote on applying the salve of Christ to anger.
• Dave wrote on knowing and obeying the commands of Christ.
• Mike wrote on four ways to think on what is pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise.
• David Dunham wrote on distinguishing between sanctification and legalism.
• Dave started a three part series looking at the question, “How then does the believer cultivate holiness?”
• Zach looked at four distinctive marks of holiness we can apply to our own spiritual diagnostics test.
• Dave continued his three part series with part two looking at repentance, prayer, and work.
• Dave concluded his three part series with a look at fellowship in the local church, worldliness and committing completely to God.
• Joey Cochran wrote on living as awakened sinners.
• Mike wrote on the need for holiness.
•  Jason reviewed JC Ryle’s classic book on holiness.
• Brian Hedges wrote on the relationship between God’s Grace and your effort in living the Christian life. 
• Today Dave lists sixteen books he recommends on holiness in the Christian life.

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This month at Servants of Grace, we’ve been considering the topic of holiness. We live in a time where many teach that Christians are only to be passive in their Christian life. As Donald Whitney recently said, “Rest in grace; strive for holiness.” This reflects the twin truths of sanctification. On one hand, Christians are to depend on the finished work of Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and rest in those gospel truths. On the other hand, as a result of resting in Christ, Christians are fueled by the grace of God to press on — and press in — towards Christ. In other words, the indicative (what Christ has done in His death, burial, and resurrection) informs or fuels the Christian’s obedience. Through the gracious work of the Holy Spirit, Christians are united to Christ, convicted of sin, and empowered to live out gospel commands.

The following list of books reflects, in my view, the best teaching on holiness in the Christian life. Some are newer and some are older. This list is provided in no particular order. I trust that you will enjoy them much as I have.

• The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. Buy the book at Amazon.
• The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. Buy the book at Amazon.
• The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges. Buy the book at Amazon or WTS Books.
• Spiritual Disciplines and the Christian Life by Donald Whitney. Buy the book at Amazon or WTS Books.
• Tempted and Tried by Russell Moore. Buy the book at Amazon or at WTS Books.
• The Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung. Buy the book at Amazon or at WTS Books.
• Holiness by J.C. Ryle. Buy the book at Amazon or at WTS Books.
• Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen. Buy the book at Amazon or WTS Books.
• Be Holy by Jason Garwood. Buy the book at Amazon.
• Rediscovering Holiness: Know the Fullness of Life with God by J.I. Packer. Buy the book at Amazon or WTS Books.
• Act the Miracle by Dr. Piper. Get the book at Amazon.
• Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall. Buy the book at Amazon or WTS Books.
• Christ Formed In You: The Power of the Gospel For Personal Change by Brian Hedges. Buy the book at Amazon or from WTS Books.
• Licensed To Kill: A Field Manual for Mortifying Sin by Brian Hedges. Buy the book at Amazon or from WTS Books.
• Active Spirituality: Grace and Effort in the Christian Life by Brian Hedges. Buy the book at Amazon.
• Holiness by Grace: Delighting in the Joy That Is Our Strength by Bryan Chapel. Buy the book at Amazon or from WTS Books.

Dave Jenkins( Executive Director )

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021),  The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.