DCLM Higher Everyday 20 April 2024 — Holiness And Heaven
Topic: Holiness And Heaven
Text: Hebrews 12:12-15
12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Key Verse: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Message
Thomas A Kempis wrote; “At the day of judgement we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how holy we have lived.” The gate of heaven only admits holy people –those washed in the blood of Jesus. Holiness is a must-have. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Holiness is having clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 15:1-5). A truly holy person is upright in his relationship with people; he lives righteously and speaks the truth from his heart. He thinks no evil. He does not rejoice at the misfortunes of others. He does not join the multitude to do evil.
In order to live a life of holiness, we must first receive a new life in Jesus. We must be born again and desire a life of holiness in character and conduct. The good news is that God has made the provision for our holiness. Jesus offered His life so that we can be holy. You can be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.
Quote: Holiness is the beauty of believers
Challenge: You can be holy today.
Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, keep me holy, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
