Holiness Without Love is Dead

The Pharisees and Sadducees were a "holy" bunch of God's people. They wore long robes and bound the word of God upon their garments. They were the ministry of their day. Even Jesus commented that they were indeed beautiful outwardly. He also said, however, that they were full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. You better believe they preached standards of holiness. Jesus said they laid on men burdens which were grievous to be borne and told his disciples to do as these men said, but not as they did. His rebuke of them included the fact that they were skilled in tithing, but omitted the ever more important things: judgement, mercy and faith. He said they were full of extortion, excess, hypocrisy and iniquity. Further, these men failed the litmus test of all: "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples that you have love one toward another." John went further and said, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" What does this love look like? What are the real marks of a Christian? Love: Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. 1 Cor 13:4-7
(TLB) Holiness begins with making the inside clean, which will manifest as love. The Holy Ghost can abide in a clean vessel, and when it does it will bear fruit: Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. The Bible urges us to try the spirits, whether they be of God. Real holiness is rooted in love. Real Christians manifest love. There is balance in the scripture: "Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord."