Traveling on The Pathway of HolinessThe Pathway of Holiness is a profound journey, symbolized as a spiritual highway that believers walk, not simply to reach a destination, but to experience transformation along the way. In the Bible, Isaiah 35:8 describes this path: "And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way." This road leads to Zion, a metaphor for the presence of God, eternal peace, and divine fellowship. But the path itself is as significant as the destination because each step represents an encounter with God that shapes and refines the believer into Christlikeness.
From a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective, this journey is deeply intertwined with the idea of sanctification, the ongoing process of being made holy. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, taught that sanctification is not an event but a lifelong journey where God's grace works to purify believers. This means the Holiness Pathway is not just a series of checklists or moral achievements but rather an unfolding relationship with God, where the believer becomes more aligned with His character through acts of compassion, forgiveness, humility, and love. Wesley emphasized that believers are not only justified by faith but also called to be perfected in love, which reflects a growing alignment with God's holiness (Matthew 5:48).
Milestones Along the Way On this path of holiness, milestones serve as moments of spiritual growth, rather than benchmarks for comparison with others. These milestones are markers of significant change, where believers can look back and see God's work in their lives. Acts of compassion (Ephesians 4:32), moments of forgiveness (Colossians 3:13), and the practice of humility (Philippians 2:3) are all examples of how God's sanctifying work manifests in our lives. These aren't just behaviors but reflections of God's Kingdom at work in and through us.
Wesley emphasized that sanctification is about being filled with God's love, which overflows in every action. Rather than seeing holiness as a rigid moral code, Wesley described it as a relational journey with God, where the believer's heart is transformed and naturally produces fruit in the form of love, joy, peace, and patience (Galatians 5:22-23). These milestones, therefore, reflect the deeper reality of living in union with Christ, where we embody God's love in our relationships with others.
Holiness is a Journey, Not a Destination Understanding holiness as a journey rather than a destination reshapes our perspective on spiritual growth. Wesley believed that sanctification is progressive, meaning it is an ongoing process that continues throughout a believer's life. Philippians 1:6 supports this view, stating, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Holiness is not a static achievement but a continual deepening of one's relationship with God. As believers experience this ongoing process of sanctification, they are constantly drawn nearer to God, growing in love, humility, and grace.
This means that as we journey on the Pathway of Holiness, we can expect growth, transformation, and deeper intimacy with God. Wesley's teaching of Christian perfection speaks to the possibility of being perfected in love-a state where a believer's entire being is oriented toward loving God and others. While perfection in the absolute sense is reserved for eternity, Wesley believed that believers could experience a kind of spiritual maturity where they are free from the power of sin and live fully in God's love (1 John 4:18).
As you journey through this book, chapter by chapter, section by section you will realize there are items seemingly being repeated. This book was written so you can read straight through or section by section for your personal study or in a small group setting.
