All the Glitters

James 2:19 “19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

Matthew 7:23 “23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Holiness -

Dictionary of Bible Themes 8266 holiness

The quality of God that sets him utterly apart from his world, especially in terms of his purity and sanctity. The holiness of God is also manifested in the persons and work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Believers are called upon to become like God in his holiness.

None of Us are Perfect

Romans 3:23 “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

John 14:6 “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Called to a Higher Standard

Romans 12:1–2 “1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

1 Peter 1:15–16 “15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””

Hebrews 12:14 “14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 “3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;”

Not Perfect but Different

2 Corinthians 7:1 “1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

Psalm 15:1–2 “1 O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? 2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;”

1 Peter 2:9 “9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Dictionary of Bible Themes 8270 holiness, as set apart for God

Believers are holy, in that they are called to be set apart from the world as God’s own people.

Dictionary of Bible Themes 8272 holiness, believers’ growth in

Believers are enabled to grow in holiness on account of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, foreshadowed by the OT sacrificial system, and through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Avoid becoming such People

2 Timothy 3:1–5 “1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”

Holiness is a fundamental biblical concept associated with separation from the ordinary or profane and connection with the divine. It primarily refers to God's transcendent nature and moral perfection, with God being described as "majestic in holiness" and the "Holy One" in various scriptures[1][2]. The concept extends to people, places, and things through their association with God, involving ideas of consecration and purity[1]. In the Hebrew Bible, holiness applied to the temple, priests, sacrificial items, and even Israel as a nation[1]. The New Testament reaffirms these ideas, applying holiness to God, Jesus, and the Christian community[1]. Holiness is not just an attribute but is considered the essence of God's being, described by one article as "the very lustre and glory of His other perfections"[3]. For believers, holiness involves separation from sin and consecration to God, with scripture calling them to "Be ye holy; for I am holy"[3]. This concept of holiness is central to both Old and New Testament teachings, emphasizing the importance of moral purity and dedication to God's purposes[1][3][4].

[1] Anthony J. Saldarini, “Holiness,” in The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated), ed. Mark Allan Powell (New York: HarperCollins, 2011), 386. [2] Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Holiness,” in Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 984. [3] Joel R. Beeke and James D. Greendyk, Knowing and Living the Christian Life: Weekly Devotions (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 1997), 258. [4] J. I. Packer, Wayne Grudem, and Ajith Fernando, eds., ESV Global Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012), 1914.

Christians are called to live differently from unbelievers, maintaining a distinct identity rooted in their faith. This separation is not about isolation, but about living according to God's principles and resisting the temptation to conform to worldly values[1][2]. Christians should exhibit good conduct and persist in righteousness, even when facing criticism or abuse from non-believers[3]. However, there's a tension between standing out and fitting in, as some Christians have tried too hard to blend with society, potentially diminishing the distinctiveness of their faith[4]. The Bible likens Christians to salt and light, emphasizing their unique role in the world[4]. While Christians share common experiences with non-believers, their new identity in Christ sets them apart[4]. Some argue that Christians have become too insular, focusing on church activities to the exclusion of engaging with non-believers in everyday settings[5]. Ultimately, the goal is not to be different for its own sake, but to live in a way that reflects their transformed nature and beliefs, even if it sometimes leads to misunderstanding or ridicule[4].

[1] Neil S. Wilson, The Handbook of Bible Application (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2000), 615. [2] Carl Barrett, God’s People Count: Connecting God’s Dots—A Guide through the Book of Numbers (Eugene, Oregon: Resource Publications, 2023). [3] Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003), 178. [4] Jeff Kinley with Conway, The Fifth Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John…you (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2014), 129. [5] J. Nyquist and Carson Nyquist, The Post-Church Christian: Dealing with the Generational Baggage of Our Faith (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2013).

John 14:15–17 “15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

John 14:25–26 “25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Ephesians 4:23–24 “23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

2 Timothy 1:7 “7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”