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  THE HOPE OF HOLINESS
  by Elisabeth Elliot
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Summary: Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the importance of recognizing true
holiness and the necessity of faith in seeking forgiveness and renewal
from God.

Topics: "Pursuing Holiness", "True Forgiveness"
Scripture References: Psalm 51:10, 1 Corinthians 13:6

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DESCRIPTION
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Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the danger of using false humility and
openness as excuses for not pursuing holiness, warning against the
tendency to justify sin by comparing ourselves to others. She highlights
the importance of recognizing sin for what it is and seeking true
forgiveness and transformation from the Lord. Elliot encourages
believers to come to God in faith, believing in His power to forgive and
empower them to do His work.

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CONTENT
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The "openness" that is often praised among Christians as a sign of true
humility may sometimes be an oblique effort to prove that there is no
such thing as a saint after all, and that those who believe that it is
possible in the twentieth century to live a holy life are only deceiving
themselves. When we enjoy listening to some Christian confess his
weaknesses and failures, we may be eager only to convince ourselves that
we are not so bad after all. We sit on the edge of our chairs waiting to
grasp at an excuse for continuing to do what we have made up our minds
long ago to do anyway. The Lord is ready to forgive sin at any moment
and to make strong servants out of the worst of us. But we must believe
it; we must come to Him in faith for forgiveness and deliverance and
then go out to do the work He has given us to do.

"Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity" (1 Cor 13:6 AV). Let us be willing
to call iniquity what is really iniquity, rather than to call it
weakness, temperament, failure, hangups, or to fall back on the tired
excuse, "It's just the way I am."

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me.
(Ps 51:10 AV)

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/elisabeth-elliot/the-hope-of-holiness/
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