Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
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The old saints who taught me the right ways of God said often that "whatever keeps the holy Ghost out of your life will keep you out of the glory world." This is a true saying.
Think about it. Jesus suffered and died to make it possible for us to receive the holy Ghost baptism, and Peter said that every one who obeys God receives it (Acts 5:32). Now, if every person who obeys God receives the holy Ghost, then it can only be disobedience that keeps it out. And what will be the end of those who do not obey Christ? It will be death, according to Romans 6:23. It will not be salvation, for Jesus is the author of eternal salvation "unto all them that obey him" (Heb. 5:9).
Whatever it is that keeps the holy Ghost out of your life is sin, whatever it is. Sin is the only thing that can possibly keep the holy Ghost out of you. Forget the theological excuses and Scripture-backed dogmas; forget the flattery of professional religious leaders who tell you that you are right with God. Get real with God and yourself and admit that if you have not received the baptism of the holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (or "stammering lips" - Isa. 28:11-12), then there is sin in your life and you are on your way to hell.
Without holiness, no one shall see God (Heb. 12:14). And how can one partake of God's holiness without partaking of His holy Spirit? To be sanctified is to be made holy, and we are sanctified by the holy Ghost (Rom. 15:16). "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ," wrote Paul, "he is none of His" (Rom. 8:9).
The good news is that we can be His. The good news is that "whosoever will" may repent of his sins and "drink of the waters of life freely". Are you thirsty enough for God's righteousness that you will cease from sin? The door to life is still open. But to pass through it into eternal life, you will have to confess and depart from sin, even secret sin. People around you may not see it for what it is, but the One who baptizes with the holy Ghost and fire sees it all. He is never fooled by appearances and titles, as men are.
Men will take you into their churches, even appoint you to high office with a lofty title, if you appear to believe in Jesus, even if you are continuing to live in sin. They solemnly sing, "Just As I am", and then welcome sinners into the fold. But there is a place into which no sinner has ever been welcomed as long as he was still sinning. Do not come to Jesus singing "Just As I Am" expecting to receive the holy Ghost. He will command you to change from what you are if you want mercy from him. He will tell you to repent and stop sinning.
There were Jews who came to John the Baptist expecting to be baptized, even though their hearts and their deeds were still unclean. All they received from John was a stern rebuke (e.g. Mt. 3:7-9). John came as a symbolic figure of the Messiah, with a baptism that was symbolic of the baptism of the Messiah. What kind of figure of the Messiah was he if Jesus demands no such repentance as John demanded, or if Jesus baptizes with the holy Ghost people who have not truly repented? Is Jesus' standard of holiness lower than John's?
If you fail to repent, you will perish in the Lake of Fire forever. If you turn from your sins, then you will receive the gift of God, the baptism of the holy Ghost. That is the beauty and the simplicity of the gospel. And how will we know when repentance is complete? "The Spirit is the witness because the Spirit is truth" (1Jn. 5:6). Every time God sees a repentant heart, he gives His witness of it (e.g. Acts 15:8).
Flattery is cheap. Forget what any man has told you about yourself, my friend, and answer this question: What has God said about you? Has He given you His witness, the holy Ghost baptism, that proves that your heart is right with Him? If He has, your heart is clean; if He has not, do not despair, for the door is still open. And do not complain and argue with Him (or with me) about it. Just repent, and He will give you His witness, just as He has given that holy baptism to every other person since Pentecost morning who has obeyed Him.
Whatever it is that prevents that from happening is what will also prevent you from escaping the wrath of Almighty God.