SEEING THE LORD IN HOLINESS

“Without holiness no one will see the Lord.”  
(Hebrews 12:14, NIV).

The Lord is the absolute embodiment of Holiness. Holiness is at the very heart of His character. There is no spot or wrinkle of ungodliness in Him. There is no un-God-likeness in Him, for if there was, He would cease to be Himself. Because God is Holy, we are to be holy (see 1 Pet. 1:16). In ourselves we are not holy, but in Christ we are. For the eyes of our flesh cannot see God, but the eyes of holiness can see Him. Holiness in character is required to see God. The more holy we become in character, the more clearly we see Him. Many of God’s dear children desire to be holy, but are not holy in life and character (see Rom. 3:23; 5:12). Often, we are so eager and good at making a holy show, but are not so willing to suffer the cost associated with showing ourselves holy. Holiness involves suffering. Holiness can only be obtained through the purifying flame of suffering. Again, many Christians desire holiness, but dread the process required to be holy. It is one thing to fear the flames of hell, but quite another to fear the flaming baptism associated with holiness. Both require death, but only one brings life anew from the ashes of death. Dear fellow Christian, do not conceive the idea in your heart that you can become holy without applying the flame of suffering; nor deceive yourself into thinking in your pride you can obtain holiness in the energy of your flesh. For the Scripture says, “That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Cor. 1:29, KJV). If that is the case, that you glory in your own self righteousness, then you fail to understand the Holiness of God. A proper understanding of God’s Holiness reveals our lack of holiness, which in turn should create in us a hunger for Christ like holiness. For it is when we are most holy, we are most like our God. It is when we are most holy, we are best able to bring glory to the Lord in our worship.

Dear Lord, thank You that your righteousness is imputed on us. So that whenever our Heavenly Father sees us, He sees us in His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We know Lord all our righteousness are as filthy rags before your absolute Holiness (see Isa. 64:6). Nevertheless, we are called to walk in holiness, not according to our flesh that is reckoned to be dead, but in the Spirit we are to walk. For holiness is not found in ourselves, but in Christ. Amen.