Purpose of holiness

The goal of holiness is to be like God

Le 19:2; Mt 5:48

See also Ro 8:29; Heb 12:10; 1 Pe 1:15–16; 1 Jn 3:2–3

God dwells with holy people

God dwelt with the people of Israel

Deuteronomy 23:14 NKJV

For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you.

See also Ex 29:42–46; Nu 5:1–3; 1 Ki 9:3; Eze 37:26–28; Zec 2:10–12

God dwells with Christians

Ephesians 2:19–22 NKJV

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

See also 1 Co 3:16–17

Holiness is required for acceptable worship

Hebrews 10:19–22 NKJV

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

See also Le 22:17–22; 2 Ch 29:15–31; Is 56:6–7; Mt 15:7–9; Is 29:13; Ro 12:1

Holiness is needed for effective witness

1 Peter 2:9–12 NKJV

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

See also Eze 20:41; Eze 36:20; Eze 39:7; 1 Pe 3:1–2

Holiness is needed for godly service

Hebrews 9:13–14 NKJV

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

See also Ex 28:41; Le 21:6–8; 2 Ch 35:3; Zep 3:9; Lk 1:74–75; 2 Ti 2:20–21; Tt 2:14

Holiness leads to a future hope

Holy people will see God

Hebrews 12:14 NKJV

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

See also Mt 5:8; 1 Th 3:13; 2 Th 1:10

Holy people will receive eternal life

Romans 6:22 NKJV

But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

See also 2 Pe 3:11

Holy people will inherit the kingdom

Colossians 1:12 NKJV

giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

See also Da 7:18; Da 7:22; Da 7:27; Eph 1:18; Re 20:6

Holy people will judge the world

1 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

Believers’ ultimate destiny is to share God’s holiness for ever

Eph 5:25–27; Re 21:2–3