Best Books on Personal Holiness
Personal Holiness is the believer's lifelong, Spirit-enabled pursuit of Christlike character and obedience, flowing out of justification and regeneration rather than earning them. Reformed teaching insists holiness is both a gift of grace and a discipline believers actively pursue, killing sin and cultivating godliness by the same grace that saved them. It is the visible fruit of a genuine new birth.
Start Here
basic
The Hole in Our Holiness
Top pickKevin DeYoung · 2012
A short, contemporary wake-up call reconnecting gospel joy with the pursuit of godliness.
The Pursuit of Holiness
Jerry Bridges · 1978
The modern classic on personal responsibility in the fight for holiness.
Holiness
J.C. Ryle · 1877
Ryle's beloved 19th-century call to practical, unfashionable holiness.
Respectable Sins
Jerry Bridges · 2007
Names the sins Christians tend to tolerate, like gossip and pride, and calls for repentance.
The Practice of Godliness
Jerry Bridges · 1983
A sequel to Pursuit of Holiness, examining specific Christlike character traits.
Go Deeper
intermediate
Overcoming Sin and Temptation
Top pickJohn Owen · 1656
Modernized editions of Owen's three classic treatises on fighting indwelling sin.
The Mortification of Sin
John Owen · 1656
Owen's single most famous treatise: be killing sin or it will be killing you.
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
Jeremiah Burroughs · 1648
A Puritan classic diagnosing discontent as a holiness issue, not just a mood.
The Bruised Reed
Richard Sibbes · 1630
A gentle Puritan classic for weak and struggling believers pursuing holiness.
For Study
advanced
A Body of Divinity
Top pickThomas Watson · 1692
A Puritan systematic theology written with unusual warmth and practical application.
The Saints' Everlasting Rest
Richard Baxter · 1650
A Puritan classic urging holiness by meditating on the believer's eternal rest.
The Christian in Complete Armour
William Gurnall · 1662
A massive Puritan classic on spiritual warfare against sin and temptation.
Communion with God
John Owen · 1657
Owen's advanced treatise on fellowship with each person of the Trinity as the root of holiness.
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A tiered reading guide of the best books on Personal Holiness.