Hebrews 12:14 Explained

Hebrews 12:14 says, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"

At first it seems to be works salvation but it is NOT.  This concise commentary on the matter will clear up that this is NOT a works salvation verse or a salvation maintained by works verse since salvation is by grace through faith and it results to good works from God not the other way around (Ephesians 2:8-10).  So what does the mean?  The best way to interpret the Bible again is with the Bible.  Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." and Romans 14:19 says, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."

Well here's a bit of an update today, what does holy mean?  What does it mean to have holiness or no man will see God?  Here are definitions of the word "holy" which again has more than one meaning:

1. Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
2. Regarded with or worthy of worship or veneration; revered: a holy book.
3. Living according to a strict or highly moral religious or spiritual system; saintly: a holy person.
4. Specified or set apart for a religious purpose: a holy place.
5. Solemnly undertaken; sacrosanct: a holy pledge.
6. Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence: The pursuit of peace is our holiest quest.
7. Informal Used as an intensive: raised holy hell over the mischief their children did.

In here, holiness means "set apart for a religious purpose".  Christians are set apart for a religious purpose even if they may not be pastors or deacons but ALL Christians are called out of the world (John 15:18-19) therefore are living lives set apart of God (but they do stumble so God, in His wisdom chastises them to make them more holy each day).  It's indeed a truth that only those who live their lives set apart for God will see the Lord Jesus and only those who are saved by grace and not by works will result to becoming set apart for God.  Yes Christians may stumble but their lives are living it FOR GOD and not FOR MAN and holiness is a result.  Holiness is a process and a result of salvation- God works through the believer to make them live holy.  On the other hand, the good works of the unbeliever no matter how many they do it God does not count it for holy living.

Unless Christians will strive to live their lives ALSO peacefully despite the inevitable fact of persecution and cruel remarks and show a holy life at the same time, they do not have a vibrant testimony and the world is looking for the Jesus IN THEM.  Going down to verse 15, it says, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;" which as it is, destroys the testimony.  Again, it has nothing to do with maintaining or earning salvation rather it has to do with Christians convincing people they are already saved.  As said, it's a shame that most Christians are inconsistent in their bearing of good works.  

Again, any works salvation cuckoo will just keep getting exposed when their false doctrines are exposed.


Updated on: April 28, 2011


See also:

It's Impossible to Be a Christian and NOT Bear One Good Fruit for the Lord Jesus Christ