Are You Holy?

J.C. Ryle wrote the following in his work entitled Holiness:

"Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
The text which heads this page opens up a subject of deep importance. That subject is practical holiness. It suggests a question which demands the attention of all professing Christians: are we holy? Shall we see the Lord?
That question can never be out of season. The wise man tells us, "There is . . . a time to weep, and a time to laugh, . . . a time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:4, 7); but there is no time, no, not a day, in which a man ought not to be holy. Are we?
That question concerns all ranks and conditions of men. Some are rich and some are poor, some learned and some unlearned, some masters and some servants; but there is no rank or condition in life in which a man ought not to be holy. Are we?
I ask to be heard today about this question. How stands the account between our souls and God? In this hurrying, bustling world, let us stand still for a few minutes and consider the matter of holiness. I believe I might have chosen a subject more popular and pleasant. I am sure I might have found one more easy to handle. But I feel deeply I could not have chosen one more seasonable and more profitable to our souls. It is a solemn thing to hear the Word of God saying, "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

Friend, I ask the same question today: are you holy? If you are not, I ask you by what hope you intend to see the Lord in eternity as Savior? If you claim to be holy, I ask you by what merit you are holy? Any answer than by the blood of Jesus Christ is a false answer that dooms you to an eternity away from His loving Presence. With the elections just days away, are you going to be holy with your vote? Have you sought the mind of God concerning your choice? Or, are you voting your personal pocketbook? Only the holiness of God should be your guide. Be holy because He is holy and has commanded our holiness. This is for our entire life and not just a segment. Holiness is not piecemeal; it is all or nothing. May you find truth through the sanctifying power of Jesus Christ today!