“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Many Christians are content with going to church on Sundays, living “reasonably moral” lives, and avoiding the more obvious sins. But beneath the surface, there may be unresolved battles with lust, greed, jealousy, anger, or bitterness.
These inner struggles are often left unchallenged, and over time we become complacent, convincing ourselves that simply being “better than most people” is enough.
Yet the Bible is clear: holiness is not optional. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord.” That is a sobering truth. Holiness means being set apart—choosing to live differently from the world because we belong to God. It is not perfection in our own strength, but a life surrendered to Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and daily cleansed by His Word.
God insists on holiness because He Himself is holy (1 Peter 1:16). Sin and holiness cannot coexist. Just as darkness vanishes in the presence of light, sin cannot remain in the presence of a holy God. If we desire to truly know Him, experience His presence, and one day see Him face to face, then holiness must be the pursuit of our lives.
Living a Christian life is a daily battle. Holiness is not something that we can adopt spontaneously as in “from tomorrow I am going to be holy”. It is a daily discipline of dying to self, separating ourselves from all this world has to offer and committing ourselves to live in obedience to God’s will. It is easy to separate ourselves from the evil and wickedness of this world, but we are called to separate ourselves from this world wholly, which includes even the good and pleasurable things this world has to offer. Holiness means being set apart for God. Set apart from what? From this world and its systems.
Why Holiness Matters
- Clarity of Conscience: When we walk in holiness, guilt and condemnation no longer weigh us down. We stand before God with a clean heart.
- Boldness in Prayer: A holy life gives us confidence in God’s presence. Our prayers are unhindered, and our faith is strengthened.
- True Freedom: Holiness frees us from the chains of sin. Instead of being slaves to lust, greed, or anger, we walk in the liberty Christ has purchased for us.
- Closer Fellowship with God: Holiness removes the barriers that distance us from God. We commune with Him freely, without shame or fear.
Imagine trying to tune in to a radio station. If there’s too much static, you can’t hear the music clearly. Sin is like static in our spiritual lives—it clouds our relationship with God. Holiness clears the frequency, allowing us to hear His voice, enjoy His presence, and live in harmony with Him.
Holiness is not about religious duty; it’s about relationship. It’s about loving God enough to say no to sin and yes to Him. If there are hidden sins or compromises in your life, don’t ignore them. Bring them into the light. Confess, repent, and let Christ cleanse you. Pursue holiness—not to earn God’s love, but because you already have it. Walk in holiness and you will see God—not only in eternity, but even now, in the sweetness of His presence and the power of answered prayer.