We Must Be Holy # 2

We Must Be Holy # 2

You may say, At this rate, very few will be saved. I answer - I know it! Jesus said so eighteen hundred years ago! Few will be saved, because few will take the trouble to seek salvation. Men will not deny themselves the pleasures of sin and their own way for a season; for this they turn their backs on "an inheritance to Me," says Jesus, "that you might have life" (John 5:40).

You may say, "These are hard sayings - the way is narrow. I answer, "I know it!" Jesus said so, eighteen hundred years ago. He always said that men must take up the cross daily, that they must be ready to cut off hand or foot - if they would be His disciples. It is in true religion, as it is in other things, "There are no gains without pains." That which costs nothing is worth nothing!

Reader, whatever you may think fit to say, you must be holy - if you would see the Lord in eternal glory. Where is your Christianity, if you are not holy? Show it to me without holiness, if you can. You must not merely have a Christian name and Christian knowledge, you must have a Christian character also. You must be a saint on earth - if ever you mean to be a saint in heaven. God has said it, and He will not go back, "Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord." "The Pope's calendar," says one, "only makes saints of the dead; but Scripture requires sanctity in the living." "Let not men deceive themselves," says Owen, "sanctification is a qualification indispensably necessary, unto those who will be under the conduct of the Lord Jesus unto salvation. He leads none to heaven - but whom He sanctifies on the earth. This living Head will not admit of dead members!" 

Surely you will not wonder that Scripture says, "You must be born again" (John 3:7). Surely it is clear as noonday, that many of you need a complete change - new hearts, new natures - if ever you are to be saved. Old things must pass away, you must become new creatures! Without holiness no man, be he who he may - no man shall ever see the Lord.

Would you be holy? Would you become a new creature? Then begin with Christ! He is the beginning of all holiness. He is not only wisdom and righteousness to His people - but sanctification also. Men sometimes try to make themselves holy first - and sad work them make of it! Little wonder, for they are at the wrong end! They are building up a wall of sand - their work runs down as fast as they throw it up. Other foundation of holiness, can no man lay, than that which Paul laid, even Christ Jesus. Without Christ, we can do nothing. It is a strong but true saying of Traill's, "Wisdom outside of Christ - is damning folly! Righteousness outside of Christ - is guilt and condemnation! Sanctification outside of Christ - is filth and sin! Redemption outside of Christ - is bondage and slavery!" 

Would you be holy? Would you be partakers of the Divine nature? Then go to Christ! Wait for nothing! Wait for nobody! Do not linger! Think not to make you yourself ready! Go, and say to Him, in the words of that beautiful hymn - "Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Your Cross I cling! Naked, flee to You for dress; Helpless, look to You for grace!"

There is not a brick nor a stone in the work of our sanctification, until we go to Christ. Holiness is His special gift to His believing people. Holiness is the work He carries on in their hearts, by the Spirit whom He puts within them. He is appointed a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance as well as remission of sins. To as many as receive Him - He gives power to become sons of God. Holiness does not come by blood - parents cannot give it to their children. Holiness does not come by the will of the flesh - man cannot produce it in himself. Holiness does not come by the will of man - ministers cannot give it you by baptism. Holiness comes from Christ! It is the result of vital union with Him. It is the fruit of a living branch of the true vine. Go then to Christ! And say to Him, "Make me holy! Teach me to do Your will."

Would you continue holy, when you have once been made so? Then abide in Christ. He says Himself, "Abide in Me, and I in you. He who abides in Me, and I in him - brings forth much fruit" (John 15:4, 5).

Jesus is the Physician to whom You must go, if you would keep well. He is the Manna which you must daily eat, and the Rock of which you must daily drink. His arm is the arm on which you must daily lean, as you come up out of the wilderness of this world. You must not only be rooted, you must be built up in Him.

Reader, may you and I know these things by experience, and not by hearsay only! May we all feel the importance of holiness, far more than we have ever done yet! May our years be holy years with our souls, and then I know they will be happy ones! But this I say once more, "We must be holy!"

~J. C. Ryle~

(The End)