The verse Hebrews 12:14 states “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” This verse emphasizes the importance of pursuing holiness in the Christian life. Here are some key points to understand what this verse means:
1. Holiness is essential to see God
The second half of Hebrews 12:14 makes it clear – without holiness, no one will see God. The implication is that those who are not holy will be shut out from God’s presence. Becoming like Christ and being made holy is not an option for believers, it is a requirement. Just as God is holy, so His people must also be holy if they desire to be with Him. Holiness is not merely an admirable goal – it is absolutely necessary to attain eternal life with God.
2. Holiness means being set apart for God’s purposes
To be holy means to be set apart and dedicated to God’s will and purposes. Holiness entails moral purity and separation from all that is sinful or ungodly. A holy person models their life after the character of Jesus Christ. They no longer conform to the patterns and pursuits of this fallen world. A holy person is sanctified – made more like Christ through the purifying work of the Holy Spirit. Holiness impacts all areas of life – thoughts, words, attitudes, behaviors. True holiness stems from the inside-out as the Spirit transforms the believer’s heart.
3. Pursuing holiness requires effort and intentionality
The first half of Hebrews 12:14 says to “strive” for holiness. The Christian life demands vigorous effort and deliberate pursuit of godliness. Holiness does not occur by accident. Believers must be diligent to engage in spiritual disciplines like Bible study, prayer, worship, fasting, service, etc. Christians must cling to Jesus, allowing Him to wash away impurities and shape them into His image. Daily submission to God’s Word and Spirit is essential. Holiness also requires separating from corrupting influences and whatever fuels fleshly desires. Christians must fight against sin, put worldly passions to death, and flee from temptations. It takes commitment and self-discipline to actively “strive for…holiness.”
4. Holiness prepares us to be in God’s presence
Heaven is a place of perfect holiness, inhabited by the thrice Holy God (Isaiah 6:3). No impurity or corruption can survive in that absolutely holy atmosphere. For sinful humans to enter God’s presence, they must be cleansed, purified, and made holy through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Becoming more Christlike in attitudes and actions helps prepare believers for eternity with a holy God. As we yield to the Spirit’s molding influence, He empowers us to mirror God’s holy character. Our outward behavior then aligns with an inward changed heart. Pursuing holiness gets us ready to inhabit heavenly realms and see God face to face.
5. Holiness and the gift of eternal life
While good works and personal holiness can never earn salvation, Hebrews 12:14 tells us holiness is vitally linked with final salvation. Only the holy will receive the gift of eternal life and dwell forever with the Lord. Unrepentant sinners who refuse to turn from wickedness and reject Christ’s offer of forgiveness will be barred from God’s presence and condemned. But for believers covered by Christ’s righteousness, striving for holiness proves their faith is genuine. A heart that’s been made holy desires above all to please and glorify God. Holiness gives evidence that a professed Christian does in fact belong to Christ.
6. Holiness brings spiritual benefits
Pursuing holiness carries many benefits and blessings for believers in this lifetime too. Those who strive for holiness and purity of heart can draw nearer to God with boldness and confidence (Hebrews 10:19-22). They will find richer fellowship with the Lord as they meditate on His Word and walk in obedience. Holiness strengthens defenses against the Enemy’s attacks and helps avoid entanglement in sin. Christians who pursue holiness live with purpose, hopeful of pleasing and hearing “Well done” from their Master. They receive a foretaste of heavenly joy and God’s presence when focused on purity and godliness. Even now, holiness ushers the believer into blessed fellowship with the Lord.
7. Holiness requires dependence on Christ and His Spirit
Though believers must make every effort to pursue holiness, in our own strength we can never achieve sinless perfection. Our striving for holiness relies fully on the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit within us. Only through Christ’s redeeming work are we declared righteous before God. Christians must fix their eyes on Jesus, drawing constantly from His grace and Spirit to make progress in godliness. The Lord is faithful to complete His transformative work as we surrender daily to Him. We strive for holiness not by self-reliance but in Spirit-empowered dependence on the Savior. Christ in us enables our holiness.
8. Holiness leads to seeing and savoring God
The more believers grow in holiness, the clearer their perception of the Lord becomes and the sweeter He is to their souls. As sin’s corrupting influence fades, eyes once blinded to God’s majesty gain sight of His glory and goodness. Those who diligently pursue Christ-likeness find themselves filled with wonder, awe, love, joy, and deep satisfaction in the matchless excellencies of God. Heart purity expands our capacity to taste the Lord’s sweetness and to delight in His beauty. Holiness fuels brighter burning affections for our glorious Savior.
9. Holiness brings assurance
Diligent pursuit of holiness is also a source of great assurance for believers. Those who strive for godliness and flee from sin testify to the genuineness of their faith and new birth from the Spirit. Their hatred of sin and hunger for righteousness confirm God’s transformative work in their hearts. Believers who actively aim to walk in holiness can be confident of their salvation. They can be assured they will one day see their Savior face to face. The pursuit of holiness bolsters assurance of belonging to Christ both now and for eternity.
10. Holiness leads to eternal rewards
At the judgment seat of Christ, believers will be rewarded according to what they have done for the sake of God’s kingdom. Those who were faithful stewards, who pursued holiness and lived righteously will receive their eternal inheritance and rewards (1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10). The effort believers invest in striving for holiness will be richly compensated. The Lord who searches the heart will grant imperishable crowns to those who fought for godliness and turned from sin. Our holiness brings glory to God and earns eternal rewards.
In summary, Hebrews 12:14 teaches that holiness is absolutely necessary to enter God’s presence and receive eternal life. Pursuing holiness requires much exertion by the power of the Spirit. But a holy life confers many benefits: sweet fellowship with Christ now and unhindered access to see and savor Him forever. Our Lord is worth any sacrifice as we strive for holiness without which none can see God.
