In Exodus, God tells Moses that if he obeys God’s covenants and is faithful, the Israelites will be God’s treasured possession out of all the nations on earth. Israel will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Israel would live in accordance with God’s high moral standards, follow all His laws, and be consecrated. The Bible describes holiness as being morally pure, separated from sin, and having a nature of God. Jesus tells His followers that inner purity and righteousness are of greater importance than just following traditions and ceremonies. Jesus explains that Biblical holiness incorporates living a life that is devoted to God. Holiness involves being morally pure and following the commandments to love and obey God. More than just a set of rules, holiness involves a profound transformation. It means being set apart from the sinful values of the world and actively seeking to become more Christ-like in character and lifestyle. It’s important to understand that holiness is not a goal we can achieve through our own efforts. Rather, it is a result of our genuine relationship with God, which is made possible through our faith in Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. As humans, we can never be holy. We are born of sin and will never escape its hold. However, we are called to strive for holiness, which should motivate us and keep us committed to our faith and relationship with God.
Holiness is God’s nature. Once a person accepts Christ, that person is required to look at matters from a different perspective. Second Corinthians 5 tells us that anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person, and the old person is gone. Second Timothy 2 states that a man becomes a vessel to honor, sanctify, and be ready for the Master’s use and ready for every good work. We are reminded that we are created in the image of God, and as such, we should be like God in every way we possibly can. Adam and Eve made mistakes that we still have to contend with, but Jesus took our sins to the cross, helping us have a better chance of escaping sin. First Peter 1 reads, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Jesus scarifies, and his grace, on the cross made it possible for us to live a holy and righteous life because we cannot be holy by our efforts due to the sin we are born with. We cannot forget that holiness is the very definition of who God is. In Leviticus 20, God tells us that as His followers, we, as true believers, will be set apart and expected to be holy just as He is. In the Old Testament, God is talking directly to the Israelites. Still, later, the Gentiles are added, and it becomes evident that they are also included in God’s commandments to be holy and righteous. God wants everyone to maintain a lifestyle of holiness free from sin and the ways of the wicked world. Another reason for everyone to work hard to become holy is Hebrews 12:14, which simply states, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
It seems like we are hearing new definitions for many things, but we should always go back to the basics to start fresh. New definitions are not always what they may seem. In John 7, we are given a good idea of what holy truly is. John wrote, “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
“Holiness is not merely a set of rules or regulations to follow; it is a transformative power that brings out the best in us. When we make the choice to live a holy life, we align ourselves with God’s perfect plan for us. We become vessels for His presence, enabling us to experience His love, joy, and peace in abundance. Holiness empowers us to overcome the challenges and temptations of this world and live victoriously. Living a holy life also brings about a positive impact on those around us. Our actions, words, and attitudes reflect the character of Christ, drawing others closer to Him. We become a beacon of light in a dark world, demonstrating the transformative power of God’s grace.” (Crusade, 2023)
It should be our number one priority to live in grace and righteousness and try to represent God in our everyday lives. But we are guilty of becoming wrapped up in our earthy concerns and often forget how God is in our lives. We do not mean to ignore God/Jesus, but we nevertheless do. This is one more reason we should be in constant prayer, asking for forgiveness for our many sins and shortcomings. “Holiness is an important quality of God, which he wants us to cultivate in our relationships with him. Although we make mistakes in this fallen world, we don’t have to worry that holiness isn’t attainable. We can live holy lives as we trust Jesus to help us day by day. The more we grow in holiness, the closer to God we become, and that’s something to celebrate!” (Hopler, 2023)
Crusade, T. H. (2023). holinesscrusade.org. Retrieved from The Beauty of Holiness: Why It Still Matters in Today’s Generation: https://holinesscrusade.org/the-beauty-of-holiness-why-it-still-matters-in-todays-generation/
Hopler, W. (2023, 3 7). Crosswalk.com. Retrieved from What Does it Mean to Be Holy?: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-does-it-mean-be-holy.html