Without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12 contains an important prooftext for classic Reformation theology in the area of sanctification. The Westminster Confession defines sanctification as the putting on of that holiness without which no one will see the Lord and references verse 14 of that chapter.

But notice that the author of Hebrews is not writing a treatise on sanctification; he is begging people not to abandon the Chrisian Faith and Church. If they do remain in the Church they will suffer, but that’s all right because their suffering marks them as God’s sons and daughters. If they stay in the Church than they can be confident that God is working with them to give them that holiness so that they will indeed see the Lord.

There is no basis in this chapter, in other words, for telling people to search within themselves for signs of holiness so that they can be sure that they are elect. In fact, even the text we (reformed types) would read in predestinarian terms is rather startling when we think about it.

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.

The corporate body is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that there is no “Esau” in their midst. Hebrews 12 will not fit into a scheme by which individuals in the Church anxiously search their hearts for signs of holiness (or desires thereto at least!) to ensure that they are truly regenerate. It is a call to the Church to encourage Her members not to flee when God brings his promised trials into our lives to provide us with holiness.

Remain with Him and He will remain with you.