Series: Not of Works – A Series on the Gospel of Grace

Anchor Text: Hebrews 12:14 (rightly divided)

One of the most misused verses in Scripture is Hebrews 12:14:

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

It’s often quoted to claim that holiness is a requirement to get to heaven—as if eternal life is granted only to those who maintain a life of ongoing purity and godliness.

⚠️Many denominations—especially in America—preach some form of “final salvation.”
Over the years, I’ve met countless people who didn’t even realize they were trusting in a faith plus something gospel.
Whether it’s faith plus fruit, obedience, baptism, law-keeping, or perseverance, the result is the same:
They weren’t resting in faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross. But in another gospel!

‘But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ‘

Galatians 1:8

But is that what the verse really teaches?

Let’s take a closer look.

🔎 Who Was Hebrews Written To?

The book of Hebrews was written to… Hebrews.

Specifically, Jewish believers who were being tempted to return to Judaism and abandon the faith, and to Jews that were on the fence about Jesus being the Christ. The entire letter is an about what came before was good but now after the cross it is better. The book of Hebrews is also an exhortation to remain in the truth, not a gospel tract outlining how to be saved.

Hebrews 12:14 is an encouragement to walk worthy—not a condition for salvation.

✝️ Holiness Is a Result, Not a Requirement

Holiness is not what gets you into heaven.
It’s what God produces in you once you’ve been saved.

“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”
—Hebrews 10:14

“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption…”
—1 Corinthians 1:30

You don’t pursue holiness to get saved—you pursue holiness because you are saved.

⚠️ The Danger of Twisting Hebrews 12:14

To say that holiness is a condition for entering heaven is to:

• Add works to the gospel
• Strip the believer of assurance
• Turn sanctification into a salvation requirement

It replaces grace with effort, and it preaches fear instead of freedom.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
—Galatians 5:1

🗝️ Key Takeaway

Holiness matters. But not as a ticket to heaven.
It is the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in you—not the basis on which you are accepted by God.

‘I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”’

Galatians 2:21

We are saved by grace through faith in Christ’s finished work—not by our personal holiness.