The hard truth is that too many see Christianity in terms of self-improvement or as a guide to successful living; the command to holiness, the impetus for such change, is too often ignored. (pg. 159)
They did what they did not because it was some noble cause for society or because they believed in some social gospel or because they wanted political influence. They acted because they believed, as God's holy people, that they were called both to end systemic evil and reform cultural attitudes. (pg. 170)
Colson addresses holiness in this chapter, which he insists is not following a set of rules but rather being like Christ. Achieving holiness is a struggle for all Christians, but we collaborate with God. Colson identifies four key factors in becoming holy. The first is repentance, both to God and to other believers and society. The second is reforming our desires, replacing sinful ones with holy ones. The third is renewing the mind, seeing the world as God sees it. The fourth is acts of charity, putting others' needs above our own. Eventually, these become habitual in holy living. Finally, Colson uses the stories of people such as William Wilberforce and William Booth to demonstrate that holy living should bring about greater concern for society and ending systemic evil, not just personal evil.
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