No Holiness, No Heaven?

January 1, 2003 by Bob Wilkin in Grace in Focus Articles

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14). Some believe the author of Hebrews is saying that we must achieve a certain level of holiness in order to make it into the kingdom. But that’s impossible for two reasons. First, the Lord Jesus promises eternal life to all who simply believe in Him (John 3:16; 5:24; 6:35-40, 47; 11:25-27). Second, failure is possible in the Christian life (Acts 5:1-11; 1 Cor 9:24-27; 11:30; Heb 12:15).

Hebrews 12:14 says that we are to pursue now what we will be forever (1 John 3:2).

Of course, instead of pursuing peace and holiness, believers can grow bitter (Heb 12:15). Those who do will miss out on our birthright, which is ruling with Christ as His partners (12:16-17; cf. 1:9; 3:14). May we pursue now what will be best for us forever.

Bob Wilkin

Bob Wilkin (ThM, PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the Founder and Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society and co-host of Grace in Focus Radio. He lives in Highland Village, TX with his wife, Sharon. His latest books are Faith Alone in One Hundred Verses and Turn and Live: The Power of Repentance.

RECENTLY ADDED

March 25, 2026

Do You Have Plans to Reprint “The Omega Reunion” or Any Other Writings About the Eternal State?

Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates are answering a question about fictional books which speculate about the eternal...

March 25, 2026

Secret God-Fearers

Although he uses different words for the idea, Luke describes a group of Gentiles in his day as “God-fearers.” Cornelius is an example (Acts 10:2). This was a very broad group....

March 24, 2026

Do You Like Overcomer Stories?

I have always loved overcomer stories. I remember as a kid reading Jim Thorpe, All American. Later I loved the movie by the same name. Hoosiers, Rudy, and Bang the Drum Slowly all captured my...

GRACE IN FOCUS RADIO

GRACE IN FOCUS MAGAZINE

Grace in Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society’s funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.