Can an unbeliever make progress in holiness?

Jason Dohm explains in this video that in Hebrews, we learn that holiness does not "buy" salvation. Rather, holiness always flows from salvation because the Holy Spirit indwells, works on, and transforms a believer's life so that the person will become holy.

People who profess Christ that never make progress in holiness are those Jesus refers to when He says: “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23, NKJV).

If your life is characterized by practicing lawlessness, it means that the Holy Spirit has not indwelled in you and you are not transformed because you have not been born again.

The writer of Hebrews is not saying that holiness buys you salvation. The writer of Hebrews is communicating that holiness always flows from salvation. Always always always flows from salvation. Because salvation means that the spirit indwells, comes and lives with, and goes to work on and transforms the life so that the person will become holy. The people who profess Christ that never through time make progress in holiness Are those to whom Jesus is speaking when he says, many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not, did we not, did we not?

They list their accomplishments. And Jesus says, depart from me, I never knew you, You who practice lawlessness. If you practice lawlessness, it means that the Holy Spirit has not indwelt you. And you've not been transformed because you've never been born again.