Holiness

By Denita M Thomas

A part of being a Christian is to strive to be "Christ-like" each day.  But, in order to do that, we must know what Christ is like.  In other words, we must KNOW Christ and understand His holiness.  We must know what being holy means by knowing who He is, understanding what it is to have salvation through Him and understanding what He requires of us as Christians.  So, where do we start on a quest to be more Christ-like, knowing Christ and striving to be HOLY?  We start with studying The Word.

God is holy!

It's important to first note that our God is holy!  The Bible states:

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!"  (Isaiah 6:3)

"Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy." (Psalm 99:5)

Holiness = Set Apart; Separate

According to Wikipedia, the Hebrew word for "holiness," "kedushah" means "separateness."  When you make the decision to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, you take the first steps on a journey of transformation.  You become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).  You become "set apart."  In John 15:19, Paul talks about being set apart and not being a part of "the world."  John 15:19 reads, "If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

Our Lord Jesus Christ was (IS) separate.  Are we not supposed to strive to be more like Him each day?  The Bible reads "Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.  Such a high priest meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens."  (Hebrews 7:25-26 NIV)

I would like to share a little more from this chapter in Hebrews to emphasize how separate and great Christ IS (I couldn't omit this simply because of how much these words explain what Jesus did for all sinners so that we could have eternal life - to be set apart, be holy, etc.).  Hebrews 7:27 goes on to state "Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself."  Christ gave His life so that you and I may have salvation.  Because Christ gave His live, we are able to receive salvation which allows God to set us apart for Himself.  How great is that!

Holiness is demanded by God.

God commands us to be holy.  He requires that we conduct ourselves in a holy manner.  I Peter 1:15-16 reads "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"  Take a look at how many times the word "holy" is used in that one passage.  It's clear that God is challenging all believers to be holy.  Also, it is clear that all believers should strive to be holy like our Lord God.

Jesus explains in Matthew 5:48 how believers are to be holy just like God is holy.  Matthew 5:48 reads "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."  Some may cringe at the word "perfect."  But, God still challenges believers to be holy.  Believers must seek to live a holy life each and every day and strive for perfection.  Yes, we fall short…for Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

The Lord is without sin.  But, although we are sinful by nature, God can help us to be holy as we seek Him, have faith in Him and strive to be like Him each and every day.  Please remember, don't look at being holy as a burden.  It's Godly living and it should be who we are.  It is a blessing!