Holiness: The Necessity of a Pure Heart
By I. D. Van Horn
“WITHOUT holiness no man shall see the Lord.” Heaven is a pure and holy place. No person, impure or unclean, will ever be permitted to enter into the mansions of the Father's house. Jesus is preparing a place there for none but the righteous. Nothing short of holiness will permit us to enter into the presence of the Lord. “It is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Is this demand of the Lord too great for man to comply with? Does he require of us more than we are able to perform? Certainly not, when he has been so kind as to mark out the way, and to offer us his help. The Lord is merciful, and if we confess and forsake our sins, he will abundantly pardon. With what earnestness then we should engage in this work. It should be, yea, it must be, the chief object of our lives to become pure in heart. Those that do this will succeed and overcome. Press into the work all you that would see the King in his beauty. There never was a more solemn time than now. The last days, with their perils, are upon us. But there is a glorious triumph just ahead. We can share in it if we will. Let the purifying work go on till the victory is gained. “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” I. D. VAN HORN.