Holiness and Righteousness
The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding holiness and its relationship to righteousness, highlighting the fear of holiness in the Christian Church.
G. Campbell Morgan emphasizes the interconnectedness of holiness and righteousness, explaining that holiness pertains to one's character while righteousness relates to one's actions. He illustrates that just as a root must produce fruit, holiness must manifest in righteous behavior. Morgan notes the fear many Christians have towards the concept of holiness, often stemming from negative experiences associated with its misrepresentation. He stresses the biblical truth that without holiness, one cannot see the Lord, urging believers to embrace this essential aspect of their faith despite past misinterpretations.
Text
These two words, holiness and righteousness, mark two aspects of one condition. Holiness has to do with character; righteousness with conduct. They cannot possibly be separated from each other. They are as 'intimately related as are root and fruit. There can be no fruit unless there be a root. If there be living root it must issue in fruit. There can be no righteousness unless there is holiness; holiness must issue in righteousness. Holiness describes being; righteousness describes doing. Let us, then, consider this subject of holiness according to New Testament teaching.
It is a very remarkable fact that thousands of the saints of God are a little afraid of the word "holiness." I believe a great many Christian people keep away from all sorts of conventions and conferences because of this fear. It is not very long since a very dear friend of mine, a Christian man, said to me, You know, I don't believe in holiness. I told him how very sorry I was to hear it, because the Bible says that without holiness no man can see the Lord, Of course, he did not mean quite what he said. I have quoted it only to indicate the attitude toward this great word, and this great subject, which is alarmingly prevalent in the Christian Church. I recognize the reason of this fear.
A great many unholy things have been said and done by those who perhaps have been loudest in their attempt to explain, and in their claim to the experience of holiness.
Sermon Outline
- Holiness and Righteousness
- The Relationship Between Holiness and Righteousness
- The Fear of Holiness in the Christian Church
- Two Aspects of One Condition
- Holiness Describes Being, Righteousness Describes Doing
- No Fruit Without a Root
- No Righteousness Without Holiness
- Reasons for the Fear
- The Importance of Understanding Holiness
Key Quotes
“They cannot possibly be separated from each other. They are as 'intimately related as are root and fruit.'” — G. Campbell Morgan
“There can be no fruit unless there be a root. If there be living root it must issue in fruit.” — G. Campbell Morgan
“Without holiness no man can see the Lord” — G. Campbell Morgan
Application Points
- Recognize the importance of holiness in living a righteous life.
- Understand that holiness and righteousness are intimately related and cannot be separated.
- Be aware of the fear of holiness in the Christian Church and seek to understand its root causes.