Hebrews 12:14 contains some of the strongest words in the bible: “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Yikes.
I was speaking with a friend and advisor recently and the subject of holiness came up. He quickly said, “There’s something about that subject that is at the heart of who you are, isn’t there?”
My answer was quick: “Yeah, but I hate it.”
He brought balance: “It might be better to say, ‘and’ I hate it.”
I think that’s a fair perspective. Something in me wants to pursue holiness, longs to teach on holiness, was trained at a school that is founded on holiness (Asbury Seminary) . . . yet another part of me wants nothing to do with the subject, either in my life or on this pulpit.
Because part of me recognizes that a life of genuine holiness is a life in which I give up control. A life in which I don’t get my own way. A life in which, as John the Baptist said of Jesus, “I must decrease so that he might increase.”
And I don’t want to preach or teach in a way that creates a community that is “holier than thou” or encourages people to drift towards spiritual pride.
But my reluctance doesn’t change the truth: without holiness no one will see the Lord.
So the better angels of my nature love holiness. The worse angels don’t.
I’ll keep you posted as to who comes out on top in that one.
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“Lit-er-rare-ally” is a term I had never heard, until meeting you.
I feel that God convicts us then will show us/point us in the right direction to scriptures we should be reading.
Maybe our Heavenly Father is just nudging you out of your comfort zone. Maybe he wants you to share what holiness means with your church. Maybe he wanted nothing more than to bring your attention to what you learned about holiness at Asbury. Whatever the case, he has your undivided attention on holiness.
Does this mean every person that turns to Hebrews 12:14 receives the same message that you have? Maybe, maybe not?
It is verses like this and a few others that have me doubting not only my faith but that Heaven will be a sold out crowd.
Matthew 5:28 Okay, I’ve sinned now what?
Matthew 5:48 Yeah right, like that’s going to happen?
Matthew 22:39 the second greatest command in all the Bible, that all the laws and prophets hang on (WHOA). To put it mildly, I have nothing for a few people in my life much less love.
So, you get the idea.
I can continue to teach my daughters to pray and believe, continue to have faith, continue to ask for forgiveness, while leaning on the side of “lit-er-rare-ally”.
Or I can give up on night time now I lay me down prayers, faith all together, no hope of making heaven and side with “literally”.
Right now I’ve decided to wrestle and keep “lit-er-rare-ally” in my corner.
Holiness, it’s what Talbot is wrestling with.