WHAT HOLINESS IS NOT

John Charles Ryle, Anglican bishop of Liverpool in the 19th century speaks of holiness. He says, "It is not knowledge...nor great profession...nor doing many things...nor zeal for certain matters in religion..." He continues that holiness is not "morality and outward respectability of conduct, nor taking pleasure in hearing preachers, nor keeping company with godly people. These things alone are not holiness. A man may have any one of them, and yet never see the Lord."

(From a sermon by Dale Pilgrim, "Service - Pit Stops Along the Way" 1/19/2009)