Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: I. HOLINESS MAY BE CONSIDERED AS OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW OF GOD, OR AS CONFORMITY TO HIS MORAL CHARACTER. It is, however, quite immaterial which definition we adopt. As "love is the fulfilling of the law," and as " God is love," to obey the law, is to be like God in moral character. II. HOLINESS IS THIS WORLD IS INDISPENSABLE TO OUR HAPPINESS IN ANOTHER, 1. It is so by the unalterable appointment of God. 2. It appears from the character of God. 3. From the fact that none of the sources or means of happiness, which the wicked possess in this world, will exist in heaven. 4. From the fact that the character of man becomes unchangeable at death. 5. From the nature of the soul. 6. If we consider what heaven is. Every being there reflects the image of God. Everything we hear in that world is the voice of praise and thanksgiving — the universal burst of gratitude, and wonder, and love, in songs of joy and transport, filling all its arches, and making all its pillars tremble.Remarks: 1. Every impenitent sinner may be convinced, from his own experience, of the necessity of a new heart to fit him for heaven. 2. Christian brethren, "what manner of persons ought ye to he in all holy conversation and godliness?" (N. W. Taylor, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:WEB: Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, |
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