Different Measures and Degrees of Holiness
God gives varying measures of holiness to each saint according to their individual needs.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that while all saints are equally justified and accepted by God, they do not all possess the same degree of holiness. He explains that holiness varies among believers, with some receiving more grace and holiness than others based on their individual needs and circumstances. This variation is part of God's divine plan, as He equips each saint with the necessary measures of holiness to fulfill their unique roles and challenges. Brooks encourages Christians to appreciate their own measure of holiness, to improve upon it, and to walk humbly in gratitude for God's grace.
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All saints are not alike holy. Some are more holy, and
others are less holy; in some saints the springs of holiness
runs low, in others the springs of holiness rise very high.
Holiness thrives not alike in all saints. God never distributes
holiness alike to all. To some He gives more, to others less,
according to the good pleasure of His grace.
All saints are equally justified, and equally pardoned,
and equally reconciled, and equally accepted--but all
saints are not equally sanctified.
Christ has not
work alike for all saints to do, nor
burdens alike for all saints to bear, nor
mercies alike for all saints to improve, nor
temptations alike for all saints to resist, nor
difficulties alike for saints to grapple with, nor
dangers alike for all saints to encounter with,
therefore He gives not a like measure of holiness
to all--but to some more, to others less, according
as their condition requires. Some saints stand in
need of a great deal more grace and holiness
than others do.
God gives different measures and degrees of
holiness among His people as their needs require.
All that holiness which any man has, whether it is
little, or whether it is much--is all of grace, it is all
of free-grace. Therefore let every Christian . . .
improve it,
be thankful for it, and
walk humbly under it.
Sermon Outline
- Different Measures of Holiness
- Degrees of Sanctification
- Christ's Work for Saints
- Christ gives different burdens and mercies to each saint
- Saints face different temptations and difficulties
- God gives varying measures of holiness accordingly
Key Quotes
“All that holiness which any man has, whether it is little, or whether it is much--is all of grace, it is all of free-grace.” — Thomas Brooks
“God gives different measures and degrees of holiness among His people as their needs require.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should be thankful for the holiness we have and improve it.
- We should walk humbly under the holiness we have been given.
- We should recognize that our holiness is a result of God's free-grace.