We Must Be Holy! # 1

We Must Be Holy! # 1

We must be holy on earth before we die - if we desire to go to heaven after death! If we hope to dwell with God forever in the life to come - we must endeavor to be like Him in the life that now is. We must not only admire holiness, and wish for holiness - we must be holy.

Holiness cannot justify and save us. Holiness cannot cover our iniquities, make satisfaction for transgressions, pay our debts to God. Our best works are no better than filthy rags, when tried by the light of God's law. The righteousness which Jesus Christ brought in, must be our only confidence - and the blood of His atonement, our only hope. All this is perfectly true, and yet we must be holy.

We must be holy - because God in the Bible plainly commands it. "As He who has called you is holy - so be holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be holy - for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15, 16).

We must be holy - because this is one great end for which Christ came into the world. "He died for all, that those who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them, and rose again" (2 Cor. 5:15).

We must be holy - because this is the only sound evidence that we have a saving faith in Christ. "Faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone." "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:17, 26).

We must be holy - because this is the only proof that we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. What can be more plain than our Lord's own words? "If you love Me - keep My commandments." "He who has My commandments, and keeps them - he it is that loves Me." (John 14:15, 21).

We must be holy - because this is the only sound evidence that we are God's children. "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." "Whoever does not righteousness is not of God" (Romans 8:14; 1 John 3:10).

Lastly, we must be holy - because without holiness on earth, we should never be prepared and fit for heaven. It is written of the heavenly glory, "There shall never enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatever works abomination, or makes a lie" (Rev. 21:27). Paul says expressly, "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord!" (Heb. 12:14).

Ah, reader, that last text I have just quoted is very solemn. It ought to make you think. It was written by the inspiration of God - it is not my private fancy. Its words are the words of the Bible - not of my own invention. God has said it, and God will stand to it: "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord."

What tremendous words these are! What thoughts come across my mind as I write them down! I look at the world - and see the greater part of it lying in wickedness! I look at professing Christians - and see the vast majority having nothing of Christianity, but the name! I turn to the Bible, and I hear the Spirit saying, "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord." 

Surely it is a text that ought to make you consider your ways, and search your hearts. Surely it should raise within you solemn thoughts and send you to prayer!

You may try to put me off by saying you feel much, and think much about these things - far more than many suppose. I answer, This is not the point! The poor lost souls in the bottomless pit, do as much as this! The great question is, not what you think and what you feel - but what you DO.  Are you holy?

You may say, It was never meant that all Christians should be holy, and that holiness such as I have described is only for great saints, and people of uncommon gifts. I answer, I cannot see this in Scripture. I read that EVERY man who has hope in Christ, purifies himself" (1 John 3:3). "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord."

You may say, It is impossible to be so holy, and to do our duty in this life at the same time - the thing cannot be done. I answer, You are mistaken - it can be done. With God on your side, nothing is impossible. It has been done by many: Moses, and Obadiah, and Daniel, and the servants of Nero's household, are all examples that go to prove it.

You may say, If you were so holy - you would be unlike other people. I answer, I know it well - it is just what I want you to be. Christ's true servants always were unlike the world around them - a separate nation, a peculiar people; and you must be so too, if you would be saved.

You may say, At this rate, very few will be saved. I answer - I know it. Jesus said so eighteen hundred years ago. Few will be saved, because few will take the trouble to seek salvation. Men will not deny themselves the pleasures of sin and their own way for a season; for this they turn their backs on "an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading!" "You will not come to Me," says Jesus, "That you might have life" (John 5:40).

You may say, These are hard sayings - the way is very narrow. I answer, I know it! Jesus said so eighteen hundred years ago. He always said that men must take up the cross daily, that they must be ready to cut off hand or foot - if they would be His disciples. It is in true religion, as it is in other things, "There are no gains without pains." That which costs nothing is worth nothing!"

Whatever you may think fit to say, you must be holy - if you would see the Lord in eternal glory. Where is your Christianity, if you are not holy? Show it to me without holiness, if you can. You must not merely have a Christian name and Christian knowledge, you must have a Christian character also. You must be a saint on earth - if ever you mean to be a saint in heaven. God has said it, and He will not go back, "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord." "The Pope's calendar," says one, "only makes saints of the dead; but Scripture requires sanctity in the living." "Let not men deceive themselves," says Owen, "sanctification is a qualification indispensably necessary, unto those who will be under the conduct of the Lord Jesus unto salvation. He leads none to heaven - but whom He sanctifies on the earth. This living Head will not admit a dead member!"

Surely you will not wonder that Scripture says, "you must be born again" (John 3:7). Surely it is clear as noonday that many of you need a complete change - new hearts, new natures - if ever you are to be saved. Old things must pass away, you must become new creatures! Without holiness, no man, be he who he may - no man shall ever see the Lord!

Would you be holy? Would you be partakers of the Divine nature? Then go to Christ! Wait for nothing! Wait for nobody! Do not linger! Think not to make yourself ready, Go, and say to Him, in the words of that beautiful hymn -

"Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Your Cross I cling!
Naked, flee to You for dress;
Helpless, look to You for grace!"

There is not a brick nor a stone laid in the work of our sanctification until we go to Christ! Holiness is His special gift to His believing people. Holiness is the work He carries on in their hearts, by the Holy Spirit whom He puts within them. He is appointed a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance as well as remission of sins. To as many as receive Him - He gives power to become sons of God. Holiness does not come by blood - parents cannot give it to their children. Holiness does not come by the will of the flesh, or by the will of man - ministers cannot give it by baptism. Holiness comes from Christ! It is the vital union with Him. It is the fruit of being a living branch of the true vine! Go then to Christ, and say, "Lord, not only save me from the guilt of sin, but send the Spirit, whom You did promise, and save me from its power. Make me holy! Teach me to do your will! Amen

~J. C. Ryle~

(The End)