Holiness, believers’ growth in

Holiness begins with God’s initiative

God chooses who and what is to be holy

2 Chronicles 7:16 NKJV

For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.

See also Ex 20:11; Nu 16:7; 2 Ch 29:11; Zec 2:12

God chooses and calls his people to holiness

Dt 7:6; Eph 1:4

See also Dt 14:2; Ro 1:7; Col 3:12; 1 Pe 1:2; 1 Pe 1:15

Holiness is conferred by the holy God

Holiness is conferred by the presence of God

Exodus 29:42–43 NKJV

This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you. And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.

See also Ex 3:4–5; Ex 19:23; 2 Ch 7:1–2

Holiness is conferred through covenant relationship with God

Exodus 19:5–6 NKJV

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

See also Dt 28:9; Eze 37:26–28; 1 Pe 2:9

Holiness is conferred by the sovereign action of God

1 Thessalonians 5:23 NKJV

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

See also Le 20:8; Is 4:3–4; Eze 36:25; Zep 1:7; Ac 15:9; Heb 2:11

Holiness through the OT rituals

Cleansing from what is unclean

Numbers 8:6–7 NKJV

“Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them ceremonially. Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purification on them, and let them shave all their body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.

See also Ex 19:14; Nu 19:9; Ne 12:30

Purification and atonement through sacrifice

Nu 8:12–14 The OT sacrificial system and holiness laws foreshadow the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ that enables believers to grow in holiness through faith.

See also Ex 29:35–37; Le 8:14–15; Le 16:5–10; Le 16:15–22; Le 16:29–30

Consecration by anointing

Leviticus 8:10–12 NKJV

Also Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. He sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the laver and its base, to consecrate them. And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him.

See also Ex 29:21; Ex 40:9

Holiness through Jesus Christ

Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ

Hebrews 10:10 NKJV

By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

See also Eph 5:25–27; Col 1:22; Heb 1:3; Heb 9:13–14; Heb 9:23–28; Heb 10:14; Heb 10:19–22; Heb 13:12; 1 Jn 1:7; 1 Jn 2:2; 1 Jn 4:10

Through relationship with Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 1:2 NKJV

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

See also 1 Co 1:30

Holiness through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit

2 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

See also Jn 3:5–8; Ro 15:16; 1 Co 6:11; 1 Th 4:7–8; Tt 3:5; 1 Pe 1:2

The human response to holiness

Repentance

1 John 1:9 NKJV

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

See also Ezr 9:1–7; Ezr 10:1–4; Ps 51:1–10; Ac 2:38; Ro 6:11–13; Jas 4:8

Faith

Galatians 5:5 NKJV

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

See also Ro 1:17–18; 2 Th 2:13

Obedience

1 Peter 1:22 NKJV

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

See also Ps 119:9; Jn 17:17; Ro 6:16–19