Fear Nothing but Sin
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin…” — John Wesley
Hebrews 12:14 reminds us: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” This powerful instruction in Hebrews calls us to an active, intentional pursuit of holiness.
Holiness is not accidental. It is not a passive state we drift into. The writer urges believers to make every effort — language that speaks of urgency, discipline, and determination. Disciples of Jesus are called to chase holiness with purpose while also becoming peacemakers in their relationships. Where others may choose conflict, we choose grace. Where bitterness tempts us, we pursue reconciliation.
To be holy is to be set apart for God. It is about alignment — our hearts, choices, and priorities increasingly reflecting Christ. The warning is sobering: neglecting this pursuit means missing the fullness of seeing the Lord at work in our lives.
John Wesley’s passion for holy living was echoed beautifully by his brother Charles Wesley, who prayed in his hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”:
Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee.
This is the cry of a heart that fears nothing but sin — a longing not merely to be forgiven, but to be transformed.
Holy courage grows when our greatest fear is not failure, rejection, or loss — but unfaithfulness to God. When sin becomes our chief concern, everything else finds its proper place. The Spirit invites us to realign our fears so holiness becomes our highest pursuit.
Illustration
Imagine a ship’s compass slightly off course. At first the deviation seems small, barely noticeable. But over many miles, the ship ends up far from its intended destination. Holiness is like regularly checking the compass of our hearts. Small corrections, made faithfully, keep us aligned with God’s true course.
Challenge
Today, ask yourself: What do I fear most — discomfort, others’ opinions, or grieving God’s heart? Identify one area where the Spirit is calling you to greater holiness or peacemaking, and take one practical step.
Prayer
Holy Spirit,
Realign my fears so that I desire faithfulness above comfort.
Search my heart and reveal anything that draws me away from holiness.
Make me a peacemaker in my relationships and courageous in my obedience.
Set me apart for Your purposes, that m
