Hebrews 12:14
Of what use is a passport for travel if you don’t have a visa or residence permit?
Many a believer is contented with the primary and basic qualification for entry into God’s family – salvation, not being mindful of the fact that there is one spiritual experience “…without which no man shall see God”.
Every believer, therefore, ought to give holiness the pre-eminence it deserves, and have the willingness to possess it. Without holiness our worship becomes pointless, because God does not accept any worship devoid of holiness.
Those who are unwilling to be holy will have all eternity to regret the pain and wailing of their rejection.
“The grace that does not make a man better than others is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves His people, not IN their sins, but FROM their sins. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord” – Charles Spurgeon.
P1. The Pre-eminence and Willingness for Holiness
Leviticus 11:44,45; Matt. 5:8; Heb. 12:14; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; 1 Peter 1:14-19; 1 John 3:1-3
Make holiness your topmost priority:
- A holy God can only be worshipped by a holy people (Amos 3:3)
- God knows our salvation is incomplete in our walk with Him, that is why the sacrifice of Christ included our sanctification (Heb. 13:12-14)
- If you can trust the blood of Christ for your salvation, why do you doubt His provision and prayer for your sanctification?
- God wills our sanctification (holiness) so you must be willing to possess the experience
- Remember, no holiness, no Heaven!
“God has one destined end for mankind – holiness! His one aim is the production of saints. God is not an eternal blessing-machine for men. He did not come to save men out of pity. He came to save men because He had created them to be holy” – Oswald Chambers.
P2. The Pointlessness of Worship without Holiness
Isaiah 1:11-20; Psalm 29:2; Romans 12:1,2; James 1:21,26,27; John 4:21-24
Any worship and service devoid of holiness is pointless:
- Without holiness anything we do in the name of God, and for His people, is vain and worthless
- Holiness is not boring; it is that which beautifies our worship
- True holiness must be all encompassing:
- Inward holiness without outward holiness is incomplete (1 Peter 3:1-6; 1 Timothy 2:9,10)
- Outward holiness without a commensurate inward holiness, is hypocritical and incomplete (Matthew 23:25-28)
“Holiness has never been the driving force of the majority. It is, however, mandatory for anyone who wants to enter the kingdom” –Elisabeth Elliot.
P3. The Pain and Wailing for the Unholy
Matthew 13:40-43; 1 Corinth. 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-8; Rev.21:8; 22:14,15
Neglect of holiness has consequences here in time, and in eternity:
- Now is the acceptable time to choose a holy walk with God
- The blood of Jesus is efficacious to cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9)
- Hunger and thirst for the divine nature and you will be filled (Matthew 5:6)
- You need the holiness experience to please God here on earth, and to be admitted to Heaven – neglect and delay have eternal consequences
- No holiness, no Heaven!
“Without holiness on earth, we shall never be prepared to enjoy heaven. Heaven is a holy place. The Lord of heaven is a holy Being. The angels are holy creatures. Holiness is written on everything in heaven… How shall we ever be at home and happy in heaven if we die unholy?” – J.C. Ryle.