--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: stressing the necessity of personal…" description: "\"“stressing the necessity of personal holiness should not undermine in any way our confidence in justification by faith alone. The best theologians and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/000/kevin-deyoung-1086_christianity_stressing-the-necessity-of-personal-holi_2946788.png" --- # stressing the necessity of personal holiness should not… ![“stressing the necessity of personal holiness should not undermine in any way our confidence in justification by faith alone. The best theologians and the best theological statements have always emphasized the scandalous nature of gospel grace and the indispensable need for personal holiness. Faith…” quote by Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/000/kevin-deyoung-1086_christianity_stressing-the-necessity-of-personal-holi_2946788.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/000/kevin-deyoung-1086_christianity_stressing-the-necessity-of-personal-holi_2946788.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/000/kevin-deyoung-1086_christianity_stressing-the-necessity-of-personal-holi_2946788.png) > ““stressing the necessity of personal holiness should not undermine in any way our confidence in justification by faith alone. The best theologians and the best theological statements have always emphasized the scandalous nature of gospel grace and the indispensable need for personal holiness. Faith and good works are both necessary. But one is the root and the other the fruit. God declares us just solely on account of the righteousness of Christ credited (imputed) to us (2 Cor. 5:21). Our innocence in God’s sight is in no way grounded in works of love or acts of charity. Whereas a Catholic might answer the question “What must I do to be saved?” by saying, “Repent, believe, and live in charity,”7 the apostle Paul answers the same exact question with, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). Getting right with God is entirely and only dependent upon faith.8”” [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Faith alone justifies; personal holiness is a fruit, not the root, of that justification. **In simple terms:** Faith saves; holiness follows. Key Takeaway Live by faith, let holiness flow naturally. Themes faith justification holiness theology Mood thoughtful encouraging Type theological expository When to use this quote - personal devotion - church teaching - spiritual growth Key Concepts imputed righteousness grace works as fruit Questions to Reflect On - Is holiness a sign of true faith or a separate effort? - How does this view affect daily Christian practice? A Different Perspective Emphasizing works can risk legalism; balance is essential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Holiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holiness/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Justification by faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justification-by-faith/) [Lord jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord-jesus/) ## Related quotes > [“This does not, therefore, mean 'the gospel reveals justification by faith as the true scheme of salvation, as opposed to Jewish self-help moralism'. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/this-does-not-therefore-mean-the-gospel-reveals-justification-by/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [I'm afraid that in the United States of America today the prevailing doctrine of justification is not justification by faith alone. It is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/i-m-afraid-that-in-the-united-states-of-america-today-the-prevailing/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Martin Luther described the doctrine of justification by faith as articulus stantis vel cadentis ecclesiae—the article of faith that decides whether the church is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-robert-white/martin-luther-described-the-doctrine-of-justification-by-faith-as/) [James Robert White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-robert-white/) > [“We have seen that the early church fathers didn’t have clarity on justification by faith alone. At the same time, they didn’t blatantly deny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-r-schreiner/we-have-seen-that-the-early-church-fathers-didn-t-have-clarity-on/) [Thomas R. Schreiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-r-schreiner/) > [Justification by faith alone, is the hinge upon which the whole of Christianity turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simeon/justification-by-faith-alone-is-the-hinge-upon-which-the-whole-of/) [Charles Simeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simeon/) > [The evidence of justification by faith is the ongoing work of sanctification through the Holy Spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/the-evidence-of-justification-by-faith-is-the-ongoing-work-of/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [“Because the Holy Spirit is received by faith, our hearts are now renewed, and so put on new affections, so that they are able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-schaff/because-the-holy-spirit-is-received-by-faith-our-hearts-are-now/) [Philip Schaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-schaff/) > [Justification by faith is the hinge on which all true religion turns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/justification-by-faith-is-the-hinge-on-which-all-true-religion-turns/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [It is one thing to believe in justification by faith, it is another thing to be justified by faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-saphir/it-is-one-thing-to-believe-in-justification-by-faith-it-is-another/) [Adolph Saphir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-saphir/) > [“Every page of the New Testament is in perfect agreement. From Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to the book of Revelation, the message is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-macarthur-jr/every-page-of-the-new-testament-is-in-perfect-agreement-from-jesus/) [John F. MacArthur Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-macarthur-jr/) > [“No man that ever lived, not John Calvin himself, ever asserted either original sin, or justification by faith, in more strong, more clear and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/no-man-that-ever-lived-not-john-calvin-himself-ever-asserted-either/) [John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/) > [“The words of Christ bring comfort to all who are afflicted with their own sinfulness, “I am telling you the truth: whoever hears my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-daily/the-words-of-christ-bring-comfort-to-all-who-are-afflicted-with-their/) [Steve Daily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-daily/) > [Martin Luther described the doctrine of justification by faith as the article of faith that decides whether the church is standing or falling. By…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/martin-luther-described-the-doctrine-of-justification-by-faith-as-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [“An enormous amount of energy has been expended uselessly in the past, in assaulting positions that are no longer held. For example, the old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hugh-benson/an-enormous-amount-of-energy-has-been-expended-uselessly-in-the-past/) [Robert Hugh Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hugh-benson/) > [“Your standing before God is always dependent on justification by faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-ford/your-standing-before-god-is-always-dependent-on-justification-by-faith/) [Desmond Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-ford/) ## More by Kevin DeYoung > [“Worry about the future is not simply a character tic, it is the sin of unbelief, an indication that our hearts are not resting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/worry-about-the-future-is-not-simply-a-character-tic-it-is-the-sin-of/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [There is nothing gray about whether a follower of Christ should see 50 Shades of Grey. This is a black and white issue. Don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/there-is-nothing-gray-about-whether-a-follower-of-christ-should-see/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [A catechism is simply a tool for teaching the fundamentals of the faith. Unlike a creed or confession, a catechism uses questions and answers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/a-catechism-is-simply-a-tool-for-teaching-the-fundamentals-of-the/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself. Be holy. Love Jesus. And as you do these things, do whatever else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/live-for-god-obey-the-scriptures-think-of-others-before-yourself-be/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Busyness kills more Christians than bullets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/busyness-kills-more-christians-than-bullets/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Grace is free, but it's not cheap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/grace-is-free-but-it-s-not-cheap/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [If there really is a perfect will of God we are meant to discover, in which we will find tremendous freedom and fulfillment, why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/if-there-really-is-a-perfect-will-of-god-we-are-meant-to-discover-in/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Seek first the kingdom of God, and then trust that He will take care of our needs, even before we know what they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/seek-first-the-kingdom-of-god-and-then-trust-that-he-will-take-care/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [There is no sin so prevalent, so insidious, and so deep as the sin of fearing people more than we fear God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/there-is-no-sin-so-prevalent-so-insidious-and-so-deep-as-the-sin-of/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [“The pursuit of holiness is not a quixotic effort to do just what Jesus did. It’s the fight to live out the life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/the-pursuit-of-holiness-is-not-a-quixotic-effort-to-do-just-what/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Offendedness is just about the last shared moral currency in our country. And, I'm sorry, but it's really annoying. We don't discuss ideas or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/offendedness-is-just-about-the-last-shared-moral-currency-in-our/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [The finality of Christs redemption for us is intimately tied to the finality of his revelation to us. . . . If we say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/the-finality-of-christs-redemption-for-us-is-intimately-tied-to-the/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Everything before Jesus is preface. Everything after Jesus is appendix. Jesus is the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/everything-before-jesus-is-preface-everything-after-jesus-is-appendix/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [Sometimes feeling overwhelmed is part of what it means to be a Christian. You can't bear somebody else's burden unless you are taking something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/sometimes-feeling-overwhelmed-is-part-of-what-it-means-to-be-a/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [“Faith and good works are both necessary. But one is the root and the other the fruit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/faith-and-good-works-are-both-necessary-but-one-is-the-root-and-the/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) [Explore all 295 Kevin DeYoung quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) ## More Christianity quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [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/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/) [Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/) > [“some of my good Baptist brethren in Georgia had done a little preaching from the pulpit against the KKK, I would have a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-moss/some-of-my-good-baptist-brethren-in-georgia-had-done-a-little/) [Norman Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-moss/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [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/) > [“every church can treat each discipleship class and each worship service as an opportunity for continual rehearsal of what the words, stories, symbols, rituals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/every-church-can-treat-each-discipleship-class-and-each-worship/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [“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/) > [The notion of a non-religious Christmas is ridiculous. But so is the insistence on the part of Christians that politicians and retailers carry out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/the-notion-of-a-non-religious-christmas-is-ridiculous-but-so-is-the/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [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/) > [Because the truth is that gossip is as good as gospel in this town. You can save face but you won't ever save your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/because-the-truth-is-that-gossip-is-as-good-as-gospel-in-this-town/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/how-else-but-through-a-broken-heart-may-lord-christ-enter-in/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/every-saved-person-this-side-of-heaven-owes-the-gospel-to-every-lost/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) [Browse all 14,385 Christianity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“stressing the necessity of personal holiness should not undermine in any way our confidence in justification by faith alone. The best theologians and the best theological statements have always emphasized the scandalous nature of gospel grace and the indispensable need for personal holiness. Faith and good works are both necessary. But one is the root and the other the fruit. God declares us just solely on account of the righteousness of Christ credited (imputed) to us (2 Cor. 5:21). Our innocence in God’s sight is in no way grounded in works of love or acts of charity. Whereas a Catholic might answer the question “What must I do to be saved?” by saying, “Repent, believe, and live in charity,”7 the apostle Paul answers the same exact question with, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). Getting right with God is entirely and only dependent upon faith.8”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kevin DeYoung" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/stressing-the-necessity-of-personal-holiness-should-not-undermine-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christianity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/stressing-the-necessity-of-personal-holiness-should-not-undermine-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/000/kevin-deyoung-1086_christianity_stressing-the-necessity-of-personal-holi_2946788.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/000/kevin-deyoung-1086_christianity_stressing-the-necessity-of-personal-holi_2946788.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/000/kevin-deyoung-1086_christianity_stressing-the-necessity-of-personal-holi_2946788.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“stressing the necessity of personal holiness should not undermine in any way our confidence in justification…” — Kevin DeYoung", "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": "Kevin DeYoung", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“stressing the necessity of personal holiness...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/stressing-the-necessity-of-personal-holiness-should-not-undermine-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/stressing-the-necessity-of-personal-holiness-should-not-undermine-in/#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 } } ] } ```