DEFINITION OF HOLINESS

(1 Peter 1:15-16) 15 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15–16 KJV 1900

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

The very reason why believers are commanded to be holy, is because the One that has called us into His marvellous grace is holy.

On that basis, we are told that it is an imperative to be holy in every area of our life. This is referring to our lifestyle; our behaviour; our conduct.

We MUST be holy because God is holy. In application, to be holy results in “purity, or integrity of moral character; morally blameless; freedom from sin; sanctity.”

It is not a conduct that is “fashioning” or being “conformed” to this world anymore, but it is lifestyle that is reflective of the greatest characteristic of God — holiness. It is a directive and therefore the responsibility of every born-again believer to apply themselves in this pursuit of Holiness

. “The pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part. God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given to us the responsibility of doing the walking; He does not do that for us.” (Jerry Bridges)

DEFINITION

a. By simple definition, and according to the context, to be holy is to no longer be conformed to this world, but to be conformed into the image of God.

- To be holy is to be separated from evil and uncleanness and consecrated unto God alone.

- This is a broad but simple definition of what it means to be holy. “We call a man holy, when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts.”

- If God was in agreement with this present evil world, there would be no need for Him deliver us from it. God, by salvation, has called us unto Himself and has commanded us to be like Him and no longer pattern our life after the way of the world and its system; which is devised and designed by the devil himself. Although we are in the world, we are no longer of the world, even as Christ is not of the world.

J. C. Ryle defines holiness this way: “Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God's judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.”

hagios (ἅγιος)

b. The word here for “holy” comes from the Koine Greek word “hagios (ἅγιος)” meaning “sacred; most holy thing; saint.”vii This stems from the word “hagos (ἅγος)” meaning “an awful thing.”viii The same word is translated as ‘saints’ and is used in Romans 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 1:2 in Paul’s salutation addressed to the brethren referring to them as those that are “called to be saints [hagios (ἅγιος)]”. It’s the identity of a believer. We often use the term ‘saint’ or ‘saints’ so loosely and fail to even consider what that means.

Romans 1:7 KJV 1900

7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV 1900

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

This word is consistently used in reference to the Holy Ghost but not exclusively. It is also used in connection with the descriptive characteristic/nature of one or a thing. For example:

- Holy Ghost (Matt. 1:18);

Matthew 1:18 KJV 1900

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

- Holy angels (Matt. 25:31);

Matthew 25:31 KJV 1900

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

- Holy prophets (Luke 1:70);

Luke 1:70 KJV 1900

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, Which have been since the world began:

- Holy covenant (Luke 1:72);

Luke 1:72 KJV 1900

72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, And to remember his holy covenant;

- Holy One (Luke 4:34);

Luke 4:34 KJV 1900

34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.

- Holy Father (John 17:11);

John 17:11 KJV 1900

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

- Holy Child Jesus (Acts 4:27);

Acts 4:27 KJV 1900

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

- Holy place (Acts 6:13);

Acts 6:13 KJV 1900

13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

- Holy ground (Acts 7:33);

Acts 7:33 KJV 1900

33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

- Holy Scriptures (Rom. 1:2);

Romans 1:2 KJV 1900

2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

- law is holy, and the commandment holy (Rom. 7:12);

Romans 7:12 KJV 1900

12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

- the temple of God is holy (1 Cor. 3:17);

1 Corinthians 3:17 KJV 1900

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

- Holy apostles (Eph. 3:5);

Ephesians 3:5 KJV 1900

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

- Holy kiss (1 Thess 5:26);

1 Thessalonians 5:26 KJV 1900

26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

- holy brethren (1 Thess. 5:27);

1 Thessalonians 5:27 KJV 1900

27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

- Holy calling (2 Tim. 1:9);

2 Timothy 1:9 KJV 1900

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

- Holy priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5);

1 Peter 2:5 KJV 1900

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

- Holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9);

1 Peter 2:9 KJV 1900

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

- Holy women (1 Pet.3:5);

1 Peter 3:5 KJV 1900

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

- Holy mount (2 Pet.1:18);

2 Peter 1:18 KJV 1900

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

- Most Holy faith (Jude 1:20);

Jude 20 KJV 1900

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

- Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (Rev. 4:8);

Revelation 4:8 KJV 1900

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

- Holy city (Rev. 11:2);

Revelation 11:2 KJV 1900

2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

- Holy Jerusalem (Rev. 21:10).

Revelation 21:10 KJV 1900

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

In like manner, our life must be characterised by holiness in reflection of the One Who has called us to be holy because He is holy. (קָ דֹוׁש) sĥdôqa

c. Peter appears to be quoting the phrase ‘be ye holy, for I am holy’ out of the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus 11:44,45; 19:2; 20:26 .

Leviticus 11:44 KJV 1900

44 For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Leviticus 11:45 KJV 1900

45 For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Leviticus 19:2 KJV 1900

2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.

Leviticus 20:26 KJV 1900

26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.

Lev 11:45 For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Leviticus 11:45 KJV 1900

45 For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Lev 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

Leviticus 19:2 KJV 1900

2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.

The Old Testament word here for “holy” in the Hebrew is “qâdôsh (שׁוֹדָ ק “(meaning “that which is separate, or apart; sacred; saint”

- This stems from the word “qâdash (שַ ׁדָ ק “(meaning “clean; hallow; consecrate; purify; sanctify; dedicate; separate.”x Like the New Testament equivalent, “hagios (ἅγιος)”, the understanding is also descriptive of the characteristic/nature of him/that which is set apart and/or dedicated.

- The miraculous deliverance out from Egypt and the specific instruction given to Israel were to clearly guide them in their ‘new life’ having been freed from bondage that they would maintain separation from the ways of Egypt and consecration unto the Lord.

Therefore, just as God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt to be their God, He commanded them to be separate from “Egypt” and all uncleanness as He is separate and sacred.

- In like manner, as He has delivered us from our sins and from this present evil world (Gal. 1:4), we are to be devoted to our Deliverer and to manifest in ALL MANNER of conversation that which is a true reflection of a holy God Who is set apart from all wickedness and uncleanness.

Galatians 1:4 KJV 1900

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

- Watchman Nee said: “Many people think we become holy by the eradication of something evil within. No, we become holy by being separated unto God.” xi God has initiated the calling and conforming into His imagine, but it is required of the Christian to cooperate with God in obeying and being established in His Word which defines and instructs in true holiness.

“Blind zeal is soon put to a shameful retreat, while holy resolution, built on fast principles, lifts up its head like a rock in the midst of the waves.”xii (William Gurnall)

d. NOTE:

In reflecting this supreme attribute of God in our lives, it’s not simply for the purpose of outwardly displaying a moral uprightness that is different from the characteristics of others; the Pharisees can do that. Rather, it is for the ultimate purpose of demonstrating and manifesting the fruit of a new creature in Christ, that is changed, gladly submitted, and completely devoted to the true and living God, who is different, set-apart and exalted above every god, everyone, and everything.

“Holiness is not something we are called upon to do in order that we may become something; it is something we are to do because of what we already are.” (Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

ILLUSTRATION

WE ARE REPRESENTATIVES

The concept of reflecting the holiness of God is not a foreign concept, neither is the instruction unreasonable, though it may be a lofty one.

- Paul uses the title “Ambassadors for Christ.”xiv (2 Cor. 5:20) An ambassador is simply a certified resident-representative in a foreign country. He is not one that is representing his own cause but rather the cause of the one greater that sent him. He represents his country in a foreign land and he is appointed for a special and often temporary assignment.

2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV 1900

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

- Having to abide by the laws of the foreign land where he temporarily dwells, he ultimately reports to his sending authority for instruction in duty and confirmation in planning.

- The manner in which the ambassador behaves himself will reflect on the one who has sent him and the on the country that he is representing.

- No ruler of any land will ever appoint or allow an ambassador, whose manner of life is unbecoming of how they were expected and instructed to behave, to mis-represent them or the country in a foreign land and cause shame and reproach.

In the same way, we are to reflect the one we are representing, not just by what we say, but especially by our manner of life.

- The instruction is that every area of our life is to reflect the holiness of God. Our lifestyle is to reflect what God approves and disapproves according to His character of Holiness.

- We are not called to represent ourselves, but to represent Him who has called us into His marvellous grace, in the way He has instructed us to so do. The instruction is to be holy is not a suggestion, but a command to obey.

- It is a directive and therefore the responsibility of every born-again believer to apply themselves in this pursuit of Holiness.