Are you holy enough ?

[VERMAURICE BROWN]

Are you holy enough?

Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."

God is a holy God: Christ is a holy Saviour: the Spirit of God is a holy Spirit: heaven is a holy place: the angels are holy angels: and all God's redeemed people are a holy people. Am I a holy person? If I am not, the Scripture assures me, that I shall not (cannot) see God. Holiness is a separation of heart from sin to God. It is not mere decency of conduct; there may be external morality where there is no holiness, though there can be no holiness without morality. If you are a holy person, you not only abstain from sin, but you really hate it. You hate all sin; whatever is not consistent with the will of God, you hate and abhor. Your abhorrence is turned against yourself on account of your remaining sinfulness. You not only discover sin in your life, but in your heart. If you are a sanctified person, you make conscience not only of your actions and words, but of your thoughts. You not only desire to appear good in the eyes of the world, but to approve yourself to God who searcheth the heart. You seek an inward conformity to the mind and will of God. Is this the case? Remember that it is written, "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Holiness is, in short, the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost given unto us. This love becomes the motive to all holy obedience; the Word of God then becomes the rule of the whole conduct; and the glory of God is proposed as the end of our conversation. Now no man can enter heaven till he is made holy. Do you believe it? And is it the prayer of your heart, "Lord, sanctify me wholly, soul, body, and spirit"? (see 1 Thess. 5:23). If it be, the Lord hath begun the good work in your heart, and He will perfect it unto the day of Jesus Christ, that you may be presented holy and unblameable before Him in love.