"Without Holiness No Man Shall See The Lord”

No greater shame can be paid to a professing Christian than to refer to them as him/her as an ungodly person.

Godliness is not reserved for a….

• Few Christians of a bygone era

• Or for some super Christian of today.

Illus: I like what Chuck Colson wrote: “When we think of holiness, great saints of the past spring to mind…holiness is the everyday business of every Christian.”

The Bible tells us in Hebrew 12:14 WITHOUT HOLINESS NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD. (And there is not going to be any blind people in heaven.)

This verse of scripture sounds to me that Godliness is something that we should take serious.

I wholeheartedly believe that the lack of godliness is the reason that Christianity has come to a standstill, especially in America!

Today many Christians shrug off godliness as not that important.

As proof of this, I offer the churches all across America.

• Where are the Christians men and women taking time in prayer and the Word of God each day

• Where are the men who are the spiritual leaders of their home?

• WHY IS THERE A SUCH A LACK OF GODLINESS AMONG CHRISTIANS TODAY?

Where are these Christians?

The reason today there is a shortage of godliness is because it takes love and discipline for these things.

Have you ever heard someone say something about something, IF IT WAS EASY EVERYONE WOULD BE DOING IT!!!

Living a godly life is the hardest thing in the world to do. IF IT WAS EASY EVERYONE WOULD BE DOING IT!!!

Do you think I am wrong? If you do, just try doing it!

• Try reading the word of God and then following it.

• Strive to love people who hate you.

• Strive to put God’s plans for our life over our plans for our life.

• Attempt to live a pure life daily!

• Make an effort to give your life to God and learning to hate sin and not just the consequences.

If you do, you will discover just how difficult it is to be a Christian today…

(1) Living in a fleshly body that craves sin.

(2) Living in a wicked society like ours that we live in each day.

However, living a godly life is not only hard, it is necessary.

Being godly is a lifestyle for every child of God.

Illus: You might be saying, “Preacher I know a lot of people who profess to be saved and you cannot tell any difference in their life than a person who does not claim to be saved.”

Yes, I know some like this also.

This could be the reason God’s Word tell us in Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Notice, the words, many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not…done many wonderful works?” and God is going to say, “I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY.”

No doubt some will say…

• But I went to church every Sunday…BUT GOING TO CHURCH WILL NOT SAVE YOU THAN GOING TO A RESTARUANT WILL MAKE YOU A COOK.

• But I tithe every Sunday but tithing is something you should do as a Christian…BUT TITHING WILL NOT SAVE YOU. YOU CAN NOT BUY YOUR WAY INTO HEAVEN.

• But I use my talents for the Lord…Using your talents should be something that you should do.

You need to repent of your sins and turn from them for the Lord to save you!!!

Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Many who profess to be saved today are not taking God’s Word serious when God’s Word tells us WITHOUT HOLINES NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD.

God’s word is not teaching salvation by works but God’s Word is teaching if you are saved you should have the works to live a godly life for the Lord.

This sinful world in which we live need GODLY MEN AND WOMEN like never before.

The last thing this ungodly world need is for a person to profess to be saved and live an ungodly life like those who are not saved.

We need men who are bold and unashamed of Christ in every walk of life. We need to let our light shine in darkness.

What does it mean to be godly?

• Do we have to live in a monastery to be godly?

• Does it mean we can't watch television?

• Does it mean we cannot have fun in life?