14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 (NASB)
Are we to accept the profession of faith from everyone who claims to be a Christian? This is a hot button issue in our time. I know of several people who once fellowshipped here who no longer do because they are convinced that it is wrong to rebuke and contend with those who profess faith in Christ, but whose fruit show otherwise. What about this fruit? Is it an indication of the veracity of one’s faith?…
According to Hebrews 12:14 we see that only those who possess holiness will see the Lord. This is a way of saying that those who will see the Lord, those who are truly saved, will possess some degree of personal holiness.
6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Isaiah 64:6 (NASB)
No one merits salvation. The best anyone can do is like filthy or polluted garments in the eyes of God. The righteous deeds of the unregenerate are stained and polluted by sin. Therefore, God provided one way only for sinful people to become righteous in God’s eyes. This is accomplished through the obedience and righteousness of Christ on behalf of the elect.