Have you ever thought of your Christian life as a lifelong journey of pursuit of holiness unto God? The word “holiness” can simply mean “set apart” or “separated unto” God’s purpose. When I think of the idea of the pursuit of holiness unto God, I think of Samuel L. Brengle. His life serves as an exemplary model of a holy life, reminding me that it is not an unattainable ideal but a potential for every believer. His faithful pursuit of God’s purifying grace, coupled with habitual spiritual discipline, offers a blueprint for me to walk in a manner worthy of the calling. In my opinion, study of his life will bring valuable life lessons from a heart utterly consecrated to God, helping us to become living testimonies to God’s holiness. As the Bible says, “Be holy as I am holy” (Lev.19:2, 1 Pet.1:16).

Born in 1860, Brengle was a brilliant and promising young man who initially pursued a career in academia. Yet, a deep spiritual hunger pulled at his heart. After he experienced a Christian conversion, he decided to join the Salvation Army under the leadership of William Booth. From the very beginning of his spiritual journey, Brengle’s desire for holiness was not a momentary impulse but a foundational principle. He understood that true effectiveness in God’s service had its foundation not from human talent or intellectual prowess, but from a heart purified by God’s grace. He was very aware of his sinful nature and craved a deeper cleansing, a complete eradication of anything that hindered his communion with God. For example, he details his intense spiritual struggles leading up to his experience of sanctification on January 9, 1885, when he “came to loathe myself” and found peace after confessing his sins and believing God’s promise. According to one witness, it was when he lied and felt that he immediately lost the intimacy with God that he had earlier in the morning. This yearning for holiness led him to an agonizing wrestle with God, seeking the experience of entire sanctification – a concept deeply rooted in Wesleyan theology, emphasizing a heart wholly devoted to God, cleansed from the dominion of sin.

Furthermore, it is reported that Brengle’s pursuit of holiness was not a passive waiting, but an active, daily discipline. He spent hours in prayer, poring over the Bible, and meticulously examining his own heart for any trace of unholy ambition, pride, or self-will. He understood that holiness was not an automatic thing but a cooperative work between God’s grace and human surrender. He famously spoke of “dying to self” – a continual yielding of his desires, ambitions, and even his perceived rights to the will of God. This often meant embracing humility, accepting challenging assignments, and enduring criticism without complaint.

His dedication to holiness was so profound that even after suffering a severe accident that left him unable to preach for an extended period, he saw it as an opportunity for deeper sanctification. He embraced his physical limitations, finding peace and spiritual growth in quiet contemplation and intercession. His later writings, born out of this period of intense introspection, became classics on the pursuit of holiness, known as “The Way of Holiness,” and inspired generations of believers.