These days, people have a long list of priorities they want the church to pursue. A friendly atmosphere. An “authentic” vibe. Programs for reaching the community. A certain style or caliber of worship music. Easy parking.

But what is God’s desire for His church? 1 Thessalonians 4:3 makes it plain: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” Holiness is at the heart of God’s revealed purpose for Christians. But despite the high priority Scripture gives the subject, sanctification is conspicuously absent from much of today’s evangelical preaching. Rarely do you hear popular teachers urge people to separate from the world, to deny fleshly desires, or to mortify sin and selfishness.

In his concise book Sanctification: God’s Passion for His People, John MacArthur echoes the apostle Paul’s concern for the church’s growth in Christlikeness (Gal. 4:19). An urgent reminder to the church and her shepherds, Sanctification is an invigorating call to make God’s passion for the church your own—to renew your zeal for being conformed to the image of Christ.

Find out why holiness ought to be the fervent, unifying ambition of the church—and how you can make sanctification the passionate pursuit of your life.<