“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14)

In the Old Testament, God gave Moses the Design of the Approach to God through the Tabernacle, the Priesthood, and Sacrifices. In the Old Testament, no man could look on the face of God. No one could even come near His presence except the Priesthood, with the blood of the innocent sacrifice.

God had Moses write down in Exodus and Leviticus the Approach to God. Aaron was appointed the High Priest to come into the Holy of Holies inside the tent in the confines of the Tabernacle. Only Aaron could approach God, whose Glory dwelt above the mercy seat on top of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. God had told Moses, it is here I will meet you (Exodus 25:22). But there is a certain approach to Me:

• It had to be the right person – Aaron the High Priest (Leviticus 16:2)
• The right sacrifice  (Leviticus 19:3-34)
• The right garments (Leviticus 16:4) “…the holy linen coat…the linen breeches… a linen girdle…the linen mitre… [and] wash his flesh in water…”

These linen garments bring us to Hebrews 12:14b, “holiness”; of which the linen garments typed out, purity or holiness. The High Priest must come pure, based on the shed blood of the innocent sacrifice at the brazen altar; which typed out our approach to God, which is through Christ our Sacrifice (Isaiah 53:1-12). But also, Aaron had to be clean to approach God; which typed out that all those who approach God on the basis of Christ’s Atonement must be clean, or holy.

In today’s world, “holiness” and “sanctification” are terms that represent radical Christians; those who are different; those who are separated from this wicked world in attitude, actions, and attire. When you walk in holiness and sanctification, you walk in the Love of God, in the Light of God, and circumspectly in this world; filled with the Spirit of God, praising God, and in submission to Him and to one another (Ephesians 5:1-33). You have so learned Christ, therefore you put off the old man and put on the new man (Ephesians 4:20-34). You will live in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, and be led of the Spirit (Romans 8:1-17; Galatians 5:16-24). Old things will pass away, behold all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17), “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

There is a definite change (Ephesians 2:1-3) in your Attitude, Actions, and Attire (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 3:7-14).

The text says without holiness, “no man shall see the Lord.” This sight comes by Faith, and walking by Faith (Hebrews 11:6). You not only see Him as Sacrifice, Substitute, and Savior; but you must see Him as your Sanctification. You can’t come in His Presence laden with unconfessed sins:

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)

You will not see Him in His Glory. You will always be on the outside of His fellowship, and of His sweet communion and holiness. You will be powerless; walking in the flesh, and not in the Power of the Holy Spirit; always questioning God and His ways, instead of trusting and obeying and resting in Him. You will be carnal and as a small babe in knowledge of Him (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:13). You will be barren in Fruit of the Spirit (2 Peter 1:3-10), and in danger of His Judgment (Hebrews 10:26-31, 39; Matthew 12:30-32).

The reason the Church, so called, is so weak and has no power of the Holy Ghost is because she is worldly and has left her first love; Revelation 2 and 3 (see the condition of six of the seven churches). The church, so called, needs a revival. Its members need to know the importance of living in the Spirit and not in the flesh (Galatians 6:7-8). Instead of filling their bellies with husks of this world, they need to fill themselves with the Word of God; confession of daily sins; daily prayer; and a vow to serve God and leave this wicked world and walk in holiness and peace of the Holy Ghost.

Then, when this happens, they will be a separated Church, a persecuted Church, and a powerful Church. They will be the light set on a hill where all can see the Light of Christ. The Message will flow out in the Power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and then you will see change, growth, and much fruit from the members of the Church. You will see a holy people of God standing in the Presence of God, worshipping and praising God.

Where are you standing today? Are you on the outside looking in? Or are you basking in His Glory?