Part 140 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
Back to Part 139 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
Part 141 HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
Back to HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness
[5.] Fifthly, If you are a holy person, if you are one who has that genuine holiness, without which there is no happiness, then know for your comfort—that your holiness is a glorious witness and evidence of your effectual calling. 1 Pet. 1:15, "But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God—who chose you to be his children—is holy." Many are externally called who are not internally called; and many are ineffectually called who are not effectually called, 1 Pet. 2:9. But now, genuine holiness—that speaks out an internal call, an effectual call—a call out of darkness into marvelous light; it speaks out such a call as makes sinners saints, slaves sons, enemies friends, and strangers favorites. As Joseph, a stranger, was called out of a prison, a dungeon, and made a very great favorite in Pharaoh's court, Gen. 41—just so, genuine holiness is a glorious witness and evidence that you are effectually called out of the prison of sin, and the dungeon of wrath, and made a favorite to the King of glory! 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Pet. 5:10; Gal. 4:6.
The author of this call is a holy God. Our holy calling depends upon the purpose of God, the power of God, and the grace and good pleasure of God. The means of our holy calling are the Spirit of God and the word of God. The ends of our calling are holiness and the glory of God. O sirs, you are not called upon the account of your parents' faith or nobility, nor upon the account of any intrinsic virtues in you, nor upon the account of any extrinsic services done by you—but upon the account of God's peculiar election and particular calling; and therefore by holiness make good the honor of your high calling.
And if any should object against you—the baseness of your birth and poor outward state, put them in mind of your high and holy calling, and ask them what they think of Lazarus, who is now asleep in Abraham's bosom. And if others should object against you your former wickedness, and cast your sins as dirt and dung in your faces, let them know that Paul can tell them from heaven, that though once he was a wretched blasphemer, and a bloody persecutor, that yet now he is a glorious saint in heaven. But,