YOU SHALL BE HOLY (Part 1 of 7)

   I.  What is Holiness?
  II.  Holiness is a Behavior Not a Covering
 III.  Teaching Holiness Through the Laws of Cleanliness
 IV.  The Consequences of Not Being Holy
  V.  The Challenge for the 21st Century Church
 VI.  Living as a Holy Person
VII.  Do Not Wear Cloths of Wool and Linen Woven Together

WHAT IS HOLINESS?

“Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, ‘You shall be Holy, for I Am Holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16)

The words of Peter call all believers to mirror the attributes of “the Holy One” and to “be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.” In my limited observation, typical believers have two difficulties with Peter’s statement.

First, believers can not easily define “holiness” nor provide a list of attributes that demonstrate “holiness.” Second, while believers appreciate that holiness is a characteristic of God who is referred to as “holy, holy, holy” (Isa 6:3), most hold to a position that the LORD bestows this holiness on believers through faith independent of any obligation on their part. This is simply not the scriptural understanding since individual holiness is not a covering, but as Peter describes it, a “behavior,” (1 Peter 1:15).

The Hebrew word for “holy” is “qodesh” meaning sacred or apartness. The act of separating or setting apart, a person, place, or article for use by God, makes it holy. In reference to the nation of Israel, the LORD said, “Thus you are to be holy to Me for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the people to be Mine,” (Lev 20:26). The first reference to “holy” in scripture was in regards to the place where Moses stood in the presence of the LORD,

“Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground,” (Ex 3:5).

The area of the burning bush was “holy ground” because it was set apart with the LORD from the rest of creation. The apostles were referred to in scripture as “holy” (Eph 3:5), in part, because they were set apart for the preaching of the gospel, “The Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them,’” (Acts 13:2).

The Greek word for holy is “hagios,” which is understood to be the absence of any fault or impurity. In reference to the Creator, both the Hebrew and Greek definitions are applicable. The LORD God stands apart from everything that defiles in a state of absolute perfection. Holiness begins with the LORD God; “Holy, Holy, Holy the LORD God, the Almighty, Who was and Who is And Who is to come,” (Rev 4:8). The LORD God is “Holy, Holy, Holy,” because the Creator is separate and perfect. This perfection is beyond the attainment of any human being. From Everyman's Talmud,

“In the text, ‘For He is a holy God’ (Josh 24:19), the adjective has a plural form, which is explained to mean, ‘He is holy with all kinds of holiness,’ i.e. He is the perfection of holiness.” (Ber 13a)

The problem with only applying the Greek definition, independent from the original Hebrew, is that the obligation for holiness is placed completely upon the Creator since man is not capable of perfection. The Greek understanding alone would make it impossible to fulfill the commandment, “Be Holy, for I Am Holy,” because that level of perfection is unobtainable by mankind. However, Peter defines holiness in terms of what a person can do, “be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.” Since we can control many aspects of our behavior, we can take steps to become holy.

The word “sanctification” (Greek – hagiazo) is closely connected in scripture to “holiness” (Greek - hagios). Believers often call the place of meeting the “Sanctuary” because we have separated this place from the rest of the world. To sanctify is to separate for the purpose of using in God’s service, which is to make holy. Believers are called to be separated (sanctified) from the common for “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified,” (1 Thes 4:3). How important is sanctification? The Hebrew writer warns believers that

“without (sanctification, i.e, holiness)…no one will see the LORD,” (Heb 12:14).

That theological understanding goes against the grain of most believers who feel that their access to the LORD is independent of their own behavior.  In the typical mindset, believers see no need to strive toward holiness, but without holiness, "no one will see the LORD."

In scripture, holiness is ascribed to those created beings, places, or articles that the LORD God has called to be separated from the world for His purpose. The following are a few examples referred to in scripture as holy:

Angels (Rev 14:10),
Apostles and prophets (Eph 3:5),
John the Baptist (Mark 6:20),
Faith is called Holy (Jude 20),
The nation of Israel (Lev 20:26)
The church is referred to as holy and blameless (Eph 5:27),
The covenant with Abraham (Luke 1:72),
Women in former times who hoped in God (1 Pet 3:5),
The law (Rom 7:12), and the commandments (2 Pet 2:21),
The scriptures (Rom 1:2),
The city of Jerusalem from above (Rev 21:2),
The Temple (Heb 13:11, Eph 2:21),
The priesthood, (1 Pet 2:5),
God’s servant Jesus (Mark Acts 4:27),
The Father (John 17:11), and of course the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 2:21).

(Howdy from Austin.  Pray all is going well.  Scott)