Following Holiness
Following holiness is essential for a life of purity and righteousness, and it is only possible through faith in God's promise and power.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the necessity of holiness in the life of a believer, asserting that without the holiness imparted by Christ, one cannot see the Lord, both in eternity and in daily life. He warns that harboring sin can hinder our relationship with God and affect our witness to others, regardless of our religious activities. Wilkerson encourages believers to allow the Holy Spirit to address their hidden sins and to cultivate a holy fear that will keep them pure amidst a wicked world. He reminds us that true freedom from sin comes not from human effort but through faith in Christ's promises and the power of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, it is a matter of trusting in God's Word and seeking His presence in our lives.
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God's Word tells us in no uncertain terms: "Follow...holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
Here is the truth, plain and simple. Without the holiness that's imparted by Christ alone--a precious gift we honor by leading a life devoted to obeying his every Word--none of us will see the Lord. And this refers not just to heaven, but to our present life as well. Without holiness, we won't see God's presence in our daily walk, our family, our relationships, our witness or our ministry.
It doesn't matter how many Christian conferences we attend, how many preaching tapes we listen to, how many Bible studies we are involved in. If we harbor a cancerous sin, if the Lord has a controversy with us over our iniquity, then none of our efforts will produce godly fruit. On the contrary, our sin will only grow more contagious and infect everyone around us.
Of course, this issue goes beyond all lusts of the flesh, to corruption of the spirit as well. Paul describes the same destructive sin in this passage when he says, "Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer" (1 Corinthians 10:10).
So, dear saint, will you allow the Holy Spirit to deal with all the lusts you may be harboring? And will you instead seek and trust in the escape that God has provided for you? I urge you to cultivate a holy fear and trust in these last days. It will keep you pure, no matter how loudly wickedness rages around you. And it will enable you to walk in God's holiness, which holds the promise of his enduring presence.
It is all a matter of faith. Christ has promised to keep you from falling, and to give you sin-resisting power--if you simply believe what he has said. So, believe him for this godly fear. Pray for it and welcome it. God will keep his Word to you. You cannot break free from the death-grip of besetting sin by willpower, by promises, or by any human effort alone. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord" (Zechariah 4:6)
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Holiness
- The Consequences of Unholiness
- Seeking Holiness through Faith
- Allow the Holy Spirit to deal with our lusts
- Trust in God's escape and promise of holiness
Key Quotes
“Without the holiness that's imparted by Christ alone--a precious gift we honor by leading a life devoted to obeying his every Word--none of us will see the Lord.” — David Wilkerson
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord” — David Wilkerson
“It is all a matter of faith. Christ has promised to keep you from falling, and to give you sin-resisting power--if you simply believe what he has said.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must allow the Holy Spirit to deal with our lusts and seek God's escape and promise of holiness.
- Cultivating a holy fear will keep us pure and enable us to walk in God's holiness.
- Faith in God's promise and power is necessary to break free from the death-grip of besetting sin.