DILIGENTLY PURSUE HOLINESS

Blessed be the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Welcome, dear reader, as we study the living and eternal Word of God.

The Scriptures declare:

Hebrews 12:14 (ESV):
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

This verse gives us two interrelated commands: (1) Pursue peace with all people, and (2) Pursue holiness. It is similar to someone saying, “Go into the room and look for a shirt and a pair of shoes.” The sentence may seem simple, but it implies two distinct actions—both are necessary.

Likewise, the verse in Hebrews is not merely a general encouragement—it is a divine instruction with eternal consequences. Peace and holiness are not optional. They must be actively pursued with diligence and intentionality.

The Greek word translated as “strive” (diōkō) carries the meaning of chasing after something with intense effort, like a hunter pursuing his prey. Holiness, therefore, is not something that comes passively or naturally. It must be sought earnestly and persistently.

Why Must We Pursue Holiness?

The answer is direct and sobering: Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.

This is not merely about missing blessings in this life—it is about eternal separation from God. You may not have the prophetic boldness of Elijah or stand behind a pulpit to preach like Paul, but as long as you are holy—set apart unto God—you can see Him and inherit eternal life. However, without holiness, the door to God’s presence remains shut.

The Bible is not silent about the kind of life that contradicts holiness. The apostle Paul offers a detailed list of behaviors that are incompatible with the Kingdom of God:

Galatians 5:19–21 (NIV):
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

This passage is not meant to merely inform—it is meant to warn. A lifestyle characterized by these patterns of sin disqualifies one from the inheritance of eternal life. True holiness is not simply the absence of sin, but the presence of God’s righteousness actively lived out.

How Then Do We Pursue Holiness?

1. By Mastering Our Desires

Sin often begins as a subtle desire. According to Scripture, the root of sin is found in our own internal cravings.

James 1:14–15 (NIV):
“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

The ability to resist temptation begins with guarding and mastering our desires. If your heart is easily drawn to every fashion, lifestyle, or trend that emerges in the world, your spiritual footing is unstable. Holiness requires discipline over the inner life—a heart that longs more for Christ than for the pleasures of the world.

2. By Avoiding the Triggers of Sin

Sin rarely appears in full form—it is often provoked and fed by subtle influences and environments. Just as anger has its triggers, so does sexual immorality, greed, and pride.

Consider the triggers of impurity in our generation:

Pornographic content
Inappropriate conversations and jokes
Corrupt social media circles
Sensual movies and music
Indecent dressing
Ungodly friendships and online communities

Anyone who constantly exposes themselves to such environments should not expect to walk in holiness. As Scripture says, we must “strive”—this is not a casual or careless endeavor. Holiness will cost us our comfort, our associations, and our pleasures. But the reward is God Himself.

2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV):
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

Holiness is not just avoiding sin; it is pursuing Christlike character in the company of those who love God.

3. By Prayer and the Word of God

Holiness is both cultivated and sustained in the presence of God. When we commit ourselves to prayer, the power of the enemy is broken, and we are strengthened in our inner being.

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV):
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

Furthermore, the Word of God is a sanctifying power in the life of a believer.

John 17:17 (ESV):
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

A person who neglects the Word of God will quickly lose sensitivity to sin. On the other hand, regular reading, meditation, and obedience to Scripture keeps our hearts clean and our minds renewed.

The first sign that someone is drifting spiritually is often their reduced appetite for the Word. If we are to grow in holiness, we must be rooted in the Word of God. Let the Scriptures be your daily bread, your sword against temptation, and your guide in righteousness.

Conclusion: A Call to Holiness

In a world where sin is normalized and even celebrated, the call to holiness has never been more urgent. God is holy, and He commands His children to reflect His character.

1 Peter 1:15–16 (ESV):
“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”

Beloved, let us diligently pursue holiness—not as a means to earn salvation, but as the fruit of a life transformed by grace and sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Let us put to death the deeds of the flesh, flee from every form of temptation, saturate our minds with the Word, and walk in step with the Spirit of God. The reward is not only a pure heart in this life but the eternal joy of seeing God face to face.