Without Which

There are many things a man can live without and still see the Lord: money, health, reputation, a long life. But the Holy Ghost names one thing that cannot be missing. Without which. Holiness is not an extra for the especially devoted. It is the condition of seeing God at all.

That is not a doctrine of earning. No one makes himself holy. Holiness is what the blood of Jesus and the fire of the Spirit produce in a heart that has stopped resisting them. But it is a doctrine of following. The verse says follow, which means pursue, chase after, refuse to be content without. A man who does not care whether he is holy has good reason to ask whether he has met the Holy One.

Notice too that holiness is joined to peace with all men. The person who is careful about his outward standards and careless with his tongue has missed the point. Holiness that cannot get along with anybody is not the holiness of Jesus. A sanctified heart is clean toward God and gentle toward people.

Sit quietly this Lord's day and ask: “Am I following holiness, or only defending my opinions about it?” The one who follows will see the Lord.