Articles
Needed: Holiness
The term ‘holy’ is not often used today except when attached to some profanity, and most often used when someone is surprised or frightened. And that is a very disappointing fact because, somewhere along the way, we have lost sight of what it means to be truly holy. But, man often has a way of doing that: Downgrading, denigrating, or simply making light of what should be important terms, and this is no different.
As is used in the Scriptures, holy has two distinct but simultaneously-applicable meanings. First, it is used to denote a separation, or cutting off, and can indicate a separation by physical distance or by behavior. Second, it is used to indicate a moral and ethical purity and cleanness. When used to describe God, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia has this interesting information about the term when it applies to Him:
“First in the more general sense of separation from all that is human and earthly. It thus denotes the absoluteness, majesty, and awfulness of the Creator in His distinction from the creature. In this use of the word, ‘holiness’ is little more than an equivalent general term for ‘Godhead,’ and the adjective “holy” is almost synonymous with ‘Divine.’”
In other words, holiness is something inherently implied when speaking of the Godhead and is, in fact, synonymous with God. In other words, God is so far above us and so different than any human being that there really is no better term to describe who He is, and just how much greater and how much different He is from us.
Regarding the second meaning of the term, the moral and ethical sense, here God is also vastly superior to mankind, with the moral and ethical sense necessarily implied in His command to His people, “you shall be holy; for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44). Especially when considering the context of when that command was given [contrasting their behavior with that of the surrounding nations], we see the importance of this characteristic; it is what makes God’s people distinct. If there is no distinction between God’s people and the world, what is the point of being one of His? How would one know we are God’s people, other than our assertion that it is so?
As has been made clear by the previously-mentioned command, God demands His people also be holy. Now, first, it should be admitted that no man will ever achieve the same degree of holiness as God because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), and sin, in fact, separates us from God. That is the wrong kind of separation implied in the term holy! It is only when a sinner is cleansed from His sins and lives a godly life that he can ever honestly be called holy, and that by the grace of God and a determination to “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable” (1 Pet. 2:11, 12). One who continues pursuing the fleshly lusts is no different than the world — those outside of Christ and who have never obeyed the gospel (Eph. 2:1-3) — and will not be distinguishable from the worldly.
The message of the gospel, you see, is that which teaches “us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly” (Titus 2:11, 12). Again, the child of God and disciple of Jesus Christ must be distinct from those in the world, and this is the identifying mark of the one who has been born again; it begins with us “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts.” If we continue living as we did before we come to Christ, then there has been no change, no repentance, and there is no distinguishable difference from one who has never left the world.
It should be clear, at this point, that God’s people need holiness; they, also, must be holy as God is holy (1 Pet. 1:15, 16). If I may add one more notable statement in God’s word about the need for holiness, consider the words of the writer of Hebrews, who admonishes us, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). It is that important! So, how do we do that? How can we ensure we are identified by both God and our fellow man as holy? [Acknowledging that man may never use the term holy simply because he is ignorant of what it is.] Let us consider the following:
Put off the Old Man and Put on Christ. Paul reminded the Christians of Ephesus that they should have “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt…and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:22-24). As we have previously noted, we cannot honestly be called ‘holy; if we are still living as we did outside of Christ. We must put away that old way of life and now follow in the footsteps of Jesus, living as He lived (1 John 2:6). We cannot ever hope to be holy if we do not.
Get Away and Stay Away From Worldly Temptations. I know it is impossible to control everything that goes on around us and everything that comes into our lives, but what we can control, we should control. Paul’s admonition to Timothy is applicable here: “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). The word “Flee” means to run away as quickly as possible; it doesn’t mean we hang around to see what happens, or see if we might eventually find something appealing to us; lusts will inevitably lead to sin (Jas. 1:13-15), so we must distance ourselves from those desires that lead us away from God and holiness. Sometimes, holiness demands a literal, physical separation that we might keep our moral distinctiveness intact! Don’t ever think, “Just this once.”
Avoid Evil Influences. The psalmist once wrote, “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes” (Psa. 101:3), and, in another psalm, “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things” (Psa. 119:37). The point here we should take to heart is that he did not allow himself an opportunity to be tempted, knowing where temptation leads. It is simply foolish to put temptations in front of our own eyes; we should instead be diligent to be on guard against any evil or wicked thing, seeking to be holy and maintaining our holiness by putting up a wall between the wickedness of the world and our minds and our lives.
Have and Maintain a Godly Mind. Paul’s admonition is one that will help strengthen us against the pull of worldliness: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). Where we set our minds is where our treasure is (Matt. 6:21) — what we have determined is most valuable to us. If it is holiness we seek, then we must set our minds on that which is holy — God, Christ, and the written word of God. Paul also gives us some helpful instruction regarding this goal: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8). When we “meditate on these things,” we will not have time nor the desire for the unholy things!
Let us heed God’s demand: “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord…and I will receive you” (2 Cor. 6:17). Let us be holy! — Steven Harper
