Holiness of God (ABS 2024)

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The moral excellence of God that unifies his attributes and is expressed through his actions, setting him apart from all others. Believers are called to be holy as God is holy.

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God’s nature is holy

He is perfect

Dt 32:4; Is 6:3; Re 4:8

See also Jn 17:11; 2 Sa 22:31; Job 6:10; Ps 18:30; Ps 22:3; Ps 71:22; Ps 78:41; Is 41:14; Is 43:15; Hab 1:13; Re 6:10

He is uniquely holy

1 Samuel 2:2 ESV

“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

See also Ex 15:11; Ps 77:13; Is 40:25; Re 15:4

God’s name is holy

Ezekiel 36:21–23 ESV

But I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they came. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.

See also Lk 1:49; Le 22:32; 1 Ch 16:35; 1 Ch 29:16; Ps 33:21; Ps 97:12; Is 57:15; Eze 39:25

God’s dwelling-place is holy

Is 57:15 David’s palace was regarded as holy because of the presence of the ark

See also Is 63:15; 2 Ch 8:11; 2 Ch 30:27; Ps 2:6; Ps 3:4; Ps 5:7; Ps 11:4; Ps 15:1; Ps 20:6; Ps 47:8; Ps 48:1; Ps 65:4; Joe 3:17; Ob 16–17; Jon 2:4; Mic 1:2; Hab 2:20; Zec 2:13; Ac 21:28 The Jews accused Paul of defiling the temple area by bringing in Gentiles; Eph 2:21–22 the church as the dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit; Heb 10:19–22; Re 22:19

God’s holiness is revealed in his righteous activity

Isaiah 5:16 ESV

But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.

See also Ps 77:13; Jdg 5:11; 1 Sa 12:7; Ps 145:17; Da 9:14; Da 9:16; Zep 3:5

God’s holiness affects worship

It is celebrated in worship

Psalm 99:5 ESV

Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!

See also Ps 29:2; 1 Ch 16:29; Ps 99:5; Ps 103:1; Ps 105:3; Ps 145:21; Is 6:3

Coming before a holy God requires preparation

Exodus 3:5 ESV

Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

See also Ex 29:37; Ps 24:3–4; 1 Co 11:28; Heb 10:1–2; Heb 10:22

Special requirements and tasks are given to worship leaders

Le 21:7–8 the priests; Le 21:10–15 the high priest

Aaron and his family:

Ex 28:1–43; Le 21:16–23

2 Ch 29:5 the Levites

God’s holiness is to be seen in his people

God’s people are to be holy because he is holy

Le 19:2; 2 Ti 1:9

See also Heb 2:11; Heb 12:10; Ro 12:1; Ex 19:6; Ex 22:31; Le 11:44; Mt 5:48; 1 Co 1:2; 2 Co 11:2 the church is to be pure as the bride of Jesus Christ; Eph 1:4; Eph 5:3; Php 4:8; Col 1:22; Col 3:12; 1 Th 3:13; 1 Th 4:3–7; Tt 1:8 a qualification for an elder; Heb 3:1; 1 Pe 1:15–16

Becoming holy involves striving after God

2 Peter 3:14 ESV

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

See also 2 Co 7:1; 2 Co 13:11; Eph 4:22–24; 1 Ti 5:22; Heb 12:14; Jas 1:20–21; 2 Pe 3:11–12

The holiness of believers originates from God

Exodus 31:13 ESV

“You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you.

See also Le 22:9; Dt 28:9; Ps 4:3; 1 Jn 3:1–3

Jesus Christ purifies Christian believers

1 John 1:7 ESV

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

See also Heb 7:26–28; Heb 9:26–28; Heb 10:10; Heb 10:14; 1 Jn 3:4–6

God’s holiness makes sin objectionable to him

Habakkuk 1:13 ESV

You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?

God’s holiness necessitates dependence upon him for forgiveness

Psalm 51:1–17 ESV

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.