I do not say for a moment that holiness shuts out the presence of indwelling sin. No – far from it. It is the greatest misery of a holy man that he carries about with him a body of death (Romans 7:24); that often when he wants to do good, evil is present with him (Romans 7:21); that the old nature is blocking all his movements and, as it were, trying to prevent every step he takes. It is the excellence of a holy man, though, that he is not at peace with indwelling sin, as others are. He hates it, mourns over it, and longs to be free from its company. The work of sanctification within him is like the wall of Jerusalem – the building goes forward even in troublous times (Daniel 9:25).
I do not say that holiness comes to maturity and perfection all at once, or that these graces I have touched on must be found in full bloom and vigor before you can call someone holy. No – far from it. Sanctification is always a progressive work. Some people’s graces are in the blade, some in the ear, and some are like full corn in the ear. All must have a beginning. We must never despise the day of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10).
Sanctification at its very best is an imperfect work. The history of the brightest saints who ever lived will contain many an “although,” “but,” and “notwithstanding” before you reach the end. The gold will never be without some dross. The light will never shine without some clouds until we reach the heavenly Jerusalem. The sun itself has spots upon its face. The holiest people have many blemishes and defects when weighed in the balance of the sanctuary. Their life is a continual warfare with sin, the world, and the devil. Sometimes you will see them being overcome rather than overcoming. The flesh is always fighting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh (Galatians 5:17), and in many things they offend all (James 3:2).
But still, despite all this, I am sure that to have such a character as I have vaguely drawn is the heart’s desire and prayer of all true Christians. They press toward it, even if they do not reach it. They may not attain to it, but they always aim at it. It is what they strive and labor to be, even if it is not yet what they are.
I boldly and confidently say that true holiness is a great reality. It is something in a person that can be seen, known, described, and felt by all around him. It is light: if it exists, it will show itself. It is salt: if it exists, its savor will be perceived. It is a precious ointment: if it exists, its presence cannot be hid.
I am sure we would all be ready to make allowance for much backsliding and for much occasional deadness in professing Christians. I know that a road may lead from one point to another and yet have many winding turns. A person can be truly holy and yet be drawn aside by many weaknesses. Gold is not less gold if it is mingled with alloy, nor is light less light if it is faint and dim, nor is grace less grace because it is young and weak. But after every allowance, I cannot see how anyone deserves to be called holy who willfully allows himself to sin and is not humbled and ashamed because of sin. I dare not call anyone holy who makes a habit of willfully neglecting known duties or willfully doing what he knows God has commanded him not to do. The Puritan John Owen well said, “I do not understand how a man can be a true believer unto whom sin is not the greatest burden, sorrow, and trouble.”
Such are the leading characteristics of practical holiness. Let us examine ourselves and see whether we are acquainted with it. Let us prove our own selves.
Some Reasons Why Practical Holiness Is So Important
Can holiness save us? Can holiness put away sin, cover iniquities, make satisfaction for transgressions, or pay our debt to God? No – not a single bit. God forbid that I should ever say so. Holiness can do none of these things. The brightest saints are all unprofitable slaves (Luke 17:10). Our purest works are no better than filthy rags when tried by the light of God’s holy law (Isaiah 64:6). The white robe that Jesus offers and faith puts on must be our only righteousness, the name of Jesus Christ must be our only confidence, and the Lamb’s Book of Life must be our only claim to heaven.
With all our holiness, we are no better than sinners. Our best things are stained and tainted with imperfection. They are all more or less incomplete, wrong in motive or defective in performance.
For by the deeds of the law, no flesh shall be justified in his sight (Romans 3:20).
For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Why, then, is holiness so important? Why does the apostle Paul say that without it no man shall see the Lord? Let me give a few reasons.
For one thing, we must be holy because the voice of God in Scripture plainly commands it. The Lord Jesus says to His people, Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of the heavens (Matthew 5:20), and Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father who is in the heavens is perfect (Matthew 5:48). Paul tells the Thessalonians, For the will of God is your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Peter says, As he who has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; for it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). “In this,” says Leighton, “law and Gospel agree.”[3]
We must be holy because this is one main objective and purpose for which Christ came into the world. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, He died for all that those who live should not live from now on unto themselves, but unto him who died and rose again for them (2 Corinthians 5:15). To the Ephesians, Paul said, Christ also loved the congregation and gave himself for her, that he might sanctify and cleanse her in the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:25-26). Paul wrote to Titus that Jesus gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a people of his own, zealous of good works (Titus 2:14).
Basically, to speak of people being saved from the guilt of sin without being at the same time saved from its dominion in their hearts is to contradict the witness of all Scripture. Are believers said to be elect? It is through sanctification of the Spirit (1 Peter 1:2). Are they predestined? It is to be conformed to the image of his son (Romans 8:29). Are they chosen? It is that they should be holy (Ephesians 1:4). Are they called? It is with a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9). Are they afflicted? It is that they may be partakers of his holiness (Hebrews 12:10). Jesus is a complete Savior. He does not merely take away the guilt of a believer’s sin. He does more – He breaks its power. We must be holy because this is the only solid evidence that we have a saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
…James warns us there is such a thing as a dead faith – a faith that goes no further than the profession of the lips and has no influence on a person’s character (James 2:17). True saving faith is a very different kind of thing. True faith will always show itself by its fruits – it will sanctify, it will work by love, it will overcome the world, and it will purify the heart.
…A holy life is the only safe evidence that we are one with Christ and that Christ is in us. Those who live unto the Lord are generally the only people who die in the Lord. If we want to die the death of the righteous, let us not rest in slothful desires only; let us seek to live His life. It is a true saying of Trail’s, “That man’s state is naught, and his faith unsound, that find not his hopes of glory purifying to his heart and life.”
We must be holy because this is the only proof that we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. This is a point on which He has spoken most plainly. In the fourteenth and fifteenth chapters of John, He says, If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15); He that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me (John 14:21); He who loves me will keep my words (John 14:23); and Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you (John 15:14).
It would be difficult to find plainer words than these, and woe to those who neglect them! Certainly that person must be in an unhealthy state of soul who can think of all that Jesus suffered, and yet cling to those sins for which that suffering occurred. It was sin that wove the crown of thorns; it was sin that pierced our Lord’s hands, feet, and side; it was sin that brought Him to Gethsemane and Calvary, to the cross and to the grave. Our hearts must be cold if we do not hate sin and labor to get rid of it, even though we may have to cut off the right hand and pluck out the right eye in doing it (Matthew 5:29-30). We must be holy because this is the only solid evidence that we are true children of God….
…You can talk to people about the doctrines of the gospel, but few people will listen, and still fewer will understand. But your life is an argument that none can escape. There is a meaning about holiness that even the most unlearned can take in. They may not understand justification, but they can understand love. I believe there is far more harm done by unholy and inconsistent Christians than we are aware of. Such people are among Satan’s best allies….
…We must be holy because our present comfort depends much upon it. We cannot be reminded of this too often. We are sadly apt to forget that there is a close connection between sin and sorrow, holiness and happiness, sanctification and consolation. God has wisely arranged that our well-being and our well-doing are linked together. He has mercifully provided that even in this world it is in our interest to be holy….
…Lastly, we must be holy because without holiness on earth we will never be prepared to enjoy heaven. Heaven is a holy place. The Lord of heaven is a holy being. The angels are holy creatures. Holiness is written on everything in heaven. The book of Revelation says specifically, There shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean or that works abomination or makes a lie (Revelation 21:27). I appeal solemnly to everyone who reads these pages. How will we ever be at home and happy in heaven if we die unholy? Death does not bring about any change in us. The grave makes no alteration. Each person will rise again with the same character in which he breathed his last. Where will our place be if we are strangers to holiness now?
Ryle, J. C.. Holiness [Annotated, Updated]: For the Will of God Is Your Sanctification – Hebrews 6:1 . Aneko Press. Kindle Edition.
The material posted in Part 4, A and B is about 55% of Ryle’s chapter on practical holiness; from the initial part of the chapter.
My posts lack many of Ryle’s illustrations, examples and transitions…. What is posted stands by itself, but had you heard the other, it likely would have been more clear. I highly recommend the book.
I have enjoyed it most on Audible and am on my third hearing of it as I do these posts. I am listening through it and posting it because I need to hear it.
I hope you have benefitted as well.
I plan to do another post or two on the next chapter, titled “The Fight.” By then, readers will have a good idea what Ryle’s book is about and its worthiness in the Christian walk.