I love the Church of Jesus Christ.

He saved me, sanctified me, and made me a member of this holy fellowship. Sadly though, it appears that most of American Christianity has settled for less than holiness. It is impossible for an individual to truly be in right fellowship with Jesus Christ and not walk in His righteousness.

Therefore, I believe you should settle for nothing less than His holiness. Let me explain why with some help from my friends. Every word should be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses. Let’s call them to our figurative witness stand.

Be sure to click and read the Scripture links. His Words are the most important truths you will read today.

First up is the Apostle Paul.

His testimony is found in his letter to a younger minister whom he called a son in the faith. Click here to read it in Titus 2:11-13.

Paul taught Titus, and the Holy Spirit teaches us about the transforming power of grace. The wisdom we find is that God’s grace is our saving grace and our sanctifying grace. Beginning in the prevenient background, it emerges into your foreground as you place faith in Christ and are born again. Then as you continue to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, you experience Him training you on how to live. This grace is taking you to the sanctified life.

Why is such a life necessary? Because the Lord is soon to appear for you. With lamps trimmed and burning, we are looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Secondly, we call upon the Apostle Peter.

Peter wrote about our subject at the outset of his first letter. He testifies regarding the elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit. Click here to read his purity plea in 1 Peter 1:13-16.

Peter made a plea to those pilgrim-like believers to live as obedient children. This is precisely what the Spirit is saying to us. You desire to please your Father by not returning to the former ways of this world. You know better because you have been transformed by the power of saving grace. And this grace is sanctifying us to be holy in all of our behavior.

Why should you desire to obey this command? Because the One who saved you is holy, and He’s coming back. Your lifestyle should reflect the holiness of Jesus Christ because His return for you is inevitable.

Lastly, we call the Apostle John to the stand.

John, the beloved, most likely wrote this while in exile on the Isle of Patmos. Our final witness knew Christ intimately and understood His Gospel in depth. He wrote to correct the doctrinal errors that had crept into the Church of his day. Click here to read this joy-filled pericope in 1 John 3:1-3.

John is overwhelmed with the love of God that calls us into His family. As children of God, John reminded his readers and the Spirit reminds us that we are headed to Heaven. When He shall appear, we shall be changed to be like Him, and we shall see Him. In light of this knowledge, the present need is to purify ourselves.

Why should you cooperate with Spirit-inspired self-purification? As a child of God, it is your personal responsibility. You are urged by the Holy Spirit to cooperate with His plan to fully sanctify you because Jesus Christ is holy, and He’s coming back for you.

In light of this triad of evidence, why do believers consistently make excuses for lack of holiness?

Instead of justifying every impurity and sinful potential, shouldn’t you return to the same holy grace by which you were saved?

During Jesus’ earthly ministry days, a group of religious people prided themselves upon their outward holiness. Jesus told His followers, “unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Pridefulness and holiness cannot coexist in the same heart. The sanctified life requires a humble heart that cooperates with the Holy Spirit and abides in His Holy Scripture.

By God’s amazing grace, through childlike faith, you can be saved and live a sanctified life.

What is the number one reason you should settle for nothing less than holiness?

The verdict is in.

1. Jesus is coming again.

If you really want to make Heaven your home, the conclusion is clearly taught by Scripture. Holiness matters. Be holy, with the help of His strong Spirit, even as He is holy. After all the arguments are said and done, without holiness, no one will see the Lord.