WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HOLINESS ?

JUST WHAT DOES IS REALLY MEAN TO BE HOLY ?

In (1 Peter 1:13-16), Peter is writing to believers. “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the HOLY ONE who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”

Peter knew the scriptures, for he was quoting from Leviticus 11:44 and Leviticus 19:2.

First lets look at the holiness of GOD.

What does the scripture mean when it states that GOD is holy?

Passages like 1 Samuel 2:2 and Isaiah 6:3 are just two of many examples of passages declaring and describing the holiness of GOD.

Another way to state it is that GOD is the embodiment of absolute perfection.

GOD is unlike any other “for I am GOD and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee” (Hosea 11:9) and His holiness is the essence of that “otherness”.

His very being is completely absent of any sin (James 1:13, Hebrews 6:18).

He is high above any other, and no one can compare to Him, (Psalm 40:5).

GODs holiness pervades His entire being and shapes all His attributes.

His love is holy, His mercy is holy, His anger and wrath are holy, His judgments are holy, and yes the rewards He grants to His very own are holy.

These concepts are difficult for humans to grasp, just as GOD is difficult for us to understand in His entirety.

Next, what does it really mean for us to be holy?

When GOD told Israel to be holy in Leviticus 11 and 19, He was instructing them to be distinctly different from the other nations by giving them specific regulations to govern their live.

Israel is GODs chosen nation and GOD has set them apart from all other people groups on this planet.

They are His special people, and consequently they were given standards that GOD wanted them to live by so the world would know they belonged to Him.

When Peter repeats the Lords words in 1 Peter 1:16 he is talking specifically to believers, those of his time and to those who were afar off (that would be us).

As believers we must be “set apart” from the world unto the Lord.

We have been instructed to live by GODs standards, not the worlds.

GOD is not calling us to be perfect, but to be separated, distinctly different from the lifestyles and morals of the world in which we live.

1 Peter 2:9, describes believers as a “holy nation”.

As a holy nation we must be separated from the norm and live out the reality of being different in our day to day lives, which Peter instructs us to do in 1 Peter 1:13-16.

Lastly, How can we become holy?

Holiness can only come about as a result of a right relationship with GOD by believing in Jesus Christ as Savior (accepting His gift of eternal life).

If we have never fully placed our entire hope of forgiveness of sins, on the finished work of Jesus Christ, then our pursuit of holiness will be in vain.

So, we must first be certain that we are truly born again believers (John 3).

If we are in fact true believers, then we will be aware that our position in Christ, automatically sets us apart from the world (1 Peter 2:9).

Look again at (Hosea 11:9), He will be in the midst of thee, but He will not enter again into a blended environment (or city), He will only come to those who are living a life not compromised by the ways and traditions of the world.

Do you desire holiness?

Then contrary to what many will teach, you must look, act, think, talk, laugh, live, give, love, grieve and hope in a way that is different than the world.