--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This pursuit requires sustained, vigorous…" description: "\"“This pursuit requires sustained, vigorous effort. It allows for no indolence, no lethargy, no halfhearted commitment, and no laissez- faire attitude t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/jerry-bridges-1451_christian_this-pursuit-requires-sustained-vigorous_2288817.png" --- # This pursuit requires sustained, vigorous effort. It… ![“This pursuit requires sustained, vigorous effort. It allows for no indolence, no lethargy, no halfhearted commitment, and no laissez- faire attitude toward even the smallest sins. In short, it demands the highest priority in a Christian's life because to be holy is to be like Christ - God's goal…” quote by Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/jerry-bridges-1451_christian_this-pursuit-requires-sustained-vigorous_2288817.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/jerry-bridges-1451_christian_this-pursuit-requires-sustained-vigorous_2288817.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/jerry-bridges-1451_christian_this-pursuit-requires-sustained-vigorous_2288817.png) > ““This pursuit requires sustained, vigorous effort. It allows for no indolence, no lethargy, no halfhearted commitment, and no laissez- faire attitude toward even the smallest sins. In short, it demands the highest priority in a Christian's life because to be holy is to be like Christ - God's goal for every Christian. The word pursue”” [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True devotion to Christ demands constant, energetic effort, rejecting laziness and half‑heartedness, making holiness the top priority. **In simple terms:** Being holy needs full, active commitment. Key Takeaway Commit fully, avoid complacency. Themes holiness commitment spiritual discipline Mood determined serious Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - daily prayer - church service - personal study - ethical decisions Key Concepts Christian life sanctification devotion Questions to Reflect On - How can you keep zeal alive daily? - What habits guard against half‑heartedness? A Different Perspective Even with effort, human weakness can cause slip‑ups; vigilance is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) ## Related quotes > [Our greatest priority as Christian parents is to gradually transfer our children's dependence away from us until it rests solely on God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-groeschel/our-greatest-priority-as-christian-parents-is-to-gradually-transfer/) [Craig Groeschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-groeschel/) > [When the mind soars in pursuit of the things conceived in space...it pursues emptiness; but when man dives deep within himself, he experiences the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meher-baba/when-the-mind-soars-in-pursuit-of-the-things-conceived-in-space-it/) [Meher Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meher-baba/) > [The pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/the-pursuit-of-holiness-is-a-joint-venture-between-god-and-the/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [...God has made provision for our holiness. Through Christ He has delivered us from sin's reign so that we now can resist sin. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/god-has-made-provision-for-our-holiness-through-christ-he-has/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“When Jesus isn’t our everything, our enough, we pursue every other thing that fills.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-demuth/when-jesus-isn-t-our-everything-our-enough-we-pursue-every-other/) [Mary E. DeMuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-demuth/) > [And, more importantly, reach for the stars. And realize that it is never too late – not now, not ever – for you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbi-fields/and-more-importantly-reach-for-the-stars-and-realize-that-it-is-never/) [Debbi Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbi-fields/) > [Don't pursue something because you 'want to be great.' Pursue something because it fascinates you, because the pursuit itself engages and compels you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justine-musk/don-t-pursue-something-because-you-want-to-be-great-pursue-something/) [Justine Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justine-musk/) > [Because peace is a fruit of the Spirit, we are dependent upon the Spirit's work in our lives to produce the desire and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/because-peace-is-a-fruit-of-the-spirit-we-are-dependent-upon-the/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-pursue-god-because-and-only-because-he-has-first-put-an-urge/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sport inevitably creates deadness of feeling. No one could take pleasure in it who was sensitive to suffering; and therefore its pursuit by women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ouida/sport-inevitably-creates-deadness-of-feeling-no-one-could-take/) [Ouida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ouida/) > [What seems to set apart those at the very top of competitive pursuits from others of roughly equal ability is the degree to which,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/what-seems-to-set-apart-those-at-the-very-top-of-competitive-pursuits/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [At one point when I was very young, when I was first starting out, I thought, 'Well, one day I'll be able to put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-burnham/at-one-point-when-i-was-very-young-when-i-was-first-starting-out-i/) [Bo Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-burnham/) > [For some reason when I decide to pursue something, I never have any fear that it won't happen. I think it's just ingrained in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-blatz/for-some-reason-when-i-decide-to-pursue-something-i-never-have-any/) [Kelly Blatz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-blatz/) > [All our efforts to defeat poverty and pursue sustainable development will be in vain if environmental degradation and natural resource depletion continue unabated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/all-our-efforts-to-defeat-poverty-and-pursue-sustainable-development/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Jerry Bridges > [We must allow the Bible to say what is says, not what we think it ought to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/we-must-allow-the-bible-to-say-what-is-says-not-what-we-think-it/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 PETER 3:18)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/grow-in-the-grace-and-knowledge-of-our-lord-and-savior-jesus-christ-2/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [It is not the fact that we are united in common goals or purposes that makes us a community. Rather, it is the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/it-is-not-the-fact-that-we-are-united-in-common-goals-or-purposes/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [A son or daughter in any human family is either born to or adopted by the parents. By definition, a child can't be both.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/a-son-or-daughter-in-any-human-family-is-either-born-to-or-adopted-by/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“We must be careful to let the Holy Spirit do this searching. If we try to search our own hearts, we are apt to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/we-must-be-careful-to-let-the-holy-spirit-do-this-searching-if-we-try/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [“Though the power for godly character comes from Christ, the responsibility for developing and displaying that character is ours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/though-the-power-for-godly-character-comes-from-christ-the/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [God's Word must be so strongly fixed in our minds that it becomes the dominant influence in our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/god-s-word-must-be-so-strongly-fixed-in-our-minds-that-it-becomes-the/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [The cure for impatience with the fulfillment of God's timetable is to believe His promises, obey His will, and leave the results to Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/the-cure-for-impatience-with-the-fulfillment-of-god-s-timetable-is-to/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [In a sermon entitled “God's Providence,” C. H. Spurgeon said, “Napoleon once heard it said, that man proposes and God disposes. 'Ah,' said Napoleon,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/in-a-sermon-entitled-god-s-providence-c-h-spurgeon-said-napoleon-once/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [Patience is the ability to suffer a long time under the mistreatment of others without growing resentful or bitter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/patience-is-the-ability-to-suffer-a-long-time-under-the-mistreatment/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [Jesus said, "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33). We must honestly face the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/jesus-said-any-of-you-who-does-not-give-up-everything-he-has-cannot/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [We ought to be as earnest and frequent in our prayers of thanksgiving when the cupboard is full as we would be in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/we-ought-to-be-as-earnest-and-frequent-in-our-prayers-of-thanksgiving/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [... self-control is not control by oneself through one's own willpower but rather control of oneself through the power of the Holy Spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/self-control-is-not-control-by-oneself-through-one-s-own-willpower/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [The fruit of patience in all its aspects - long-suffering, forbearance, endurance, and perseverance - is a fruit that is most intimately associated with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/the-fruit-of-patience-in-all-its-aspects-long-suffering-forbearance/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [Bitterness arises in our hearts when we do not trust in the sovereign rule of God in our lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/bitterness-arises-in-our-hearts-when-we-do-not-trust-in-the-sovereign/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) [Explore all 234 Jerry Bridges quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) ## More Christian quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/) [David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/) > [Always have the fear of God in your heart, and remember that God is always with you, everywhere, whether you are walking or sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennadius-of-constantinople/always-have-the-fear-of-god-in-your-heart-and-remember-that-god-is/) [Gennadius of Constantinople](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennadius-of-constantinople/) > [For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/for-many-the-call-to-be-a-christian-can-seem-demanding-even/) [Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/) [Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/poor-david-hume-is-dying-fast-but-with-more-real-cheerfulness-and/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) [Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“This pursuit requires sustained, vigorous effort. It allows for no indolence, no lethargy, no halfhearted commitment, and no laissez- faire attitude toward even the smallest sins. In short, it demands the highest priority in a Christian's life because to be holy is to be like Christ - God's goal for every Christian. The word pursue”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jerry Bridges" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/this-pursuit-requires-sustained-vigorous-effort-it-allows-for-no/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/this-pursuit-requires-sustained-vigorous-effort-it-allows-for-no/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/jerry-bridges-1451_christian_this-pursuit-requires-sustained-vigorous_2288817.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/jerry-bridges-1451_christian_this-pursuit-requires-sustained-vigorous_2288817.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/jerry-bridges-1451_christian_this-pursuit-requires-sustained-vigorous_2288817.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This pursuit requires sustained, vigorous effort. It allows for no indolence, no lethargy, no halfhearted…” — Jerry Bridges", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jerry Bridges", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“This pursuit requires sustained, vigorous effort....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/this-pursuit-requires-sustained-vigorous-effort-it-allows-for-no/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/this-pursuit-requires-sustained-vigorous-effort-it-allows-for-no/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```