Holiness Is Necessary for Salvation
If we are to enjoy the eternal happiness of heaven, we must first be holy. The Bible is clear that without holiness, no one will see the Lord:
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Holiness involves being like God in purity and righteousness. It includes a love for God and others, obedience to His commands, and a separation from sin. It is not an optional extra for Christians; it is essential for our salvation.
Misunderstanding the Nature of Holiness
Many people misunderstand holiness. They think it is merely outward morality or religious observance. But true holiness begins in the heart, where God transforms our desires and affections. It is not just about what we do but about who we are.
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for focusing on outward appearances while neglecting the inner transformation God requires:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25).
Holiness must flow from a heart renewed by the Spirit. It cannot be achieved by human effort alone.
Holiness as Preparation for Heaven
Heaven is a holy place where God, the holy angels, and the spirits of the righteous dwell. To enjoy fellowship with God and the saints, we must be made holy ourselves. The psalmist asks:
“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3–4).
Holiness is not just a requirement for entering heaven but also a foretaste of it. When we grow in holiness, we experience the joy of walking with God and living in His presence.
The Source of Holiness
True holiness is the work of God in us. We cannot make ourselves holy by our own strength. It is God who calls us to holiness and enables us to live it out:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
Holiness is not only a duty but also a gift of grace. It is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13).
Common Errors About Holiness
There are two main errors people fall into when seeking holiness:
Trying to Achieve Holiness by Human Effort Alone
Some believe they can make themselves holy by obeying God’s law through their own strength. They think their good works will make them acceptable to God. But this is impossible because of the sinfulness of our hearts. Paul reminds us:
“By works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). The law reveals our need for a Savior, not our ability to save ourselves.
Neglecting Holiness Because of God’s Grace
Others assume that because salvation is by grace, holiness is unnecessary. They believe they can live however they please and still be saved. But this is a serious misunderstanding of grace. Paul addresses this error:
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1–2). Grace not only forgives our sins but also empowers us to live holy lives.
Holiness as a Response to the Gospel
Holiness is not the cause of our salvation but its result. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9). However, true faith always produces the fruit of holiness.
James reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). When we truly believe in Christ, His Spirit works in us to transform our lives.
Conclusion
Holiness is essential for salvation, not as a means of earning it but as evidence of God’s work in us. True holiness begins in the heart and is the work of God’s grace. We must pursue it diligently, relying on the Spirit’s power and responding to the gospel with faith and obedience.
Summarized From Walter Marshall’s The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification.
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