Hello, and welcome. As we walk with the Lord, we hear certain words a lot. But we may not always stop to think about what they mean. One of those words is “holy.” We sing that God is holy. We read that God is holy. We are even told to be holy. But if we are honest, we might ask, what is holiness according to the bible? This question takes us to the very heart of who God is. It is a very important question for every believer.
Understanding holiness is not just for pastors. It is for every person who wants to know God better. It helps us see God as He really is. It also helps us understand the new life He has called us to live in Jesus. This article is a simple and heartfelt look into God’s Word. We will look at God’s great holiness. We will also see what it means for us, His children, to live holy lives.
More in Bible Category
What Is Sexual Immorality in the Bible
What Does Holiness Mean in the Bible?
First, let’s look at what the word “holy” means. In the Old Testament, the main Hebrew word for holy is qadosh. In the New Testament, the Greek word is hagios. Both words have the same main idea. They mean “to be set apart” or “to be separate.”
Think of it like this. You have a set of dishes you use every day. But you also have a special set of dishes for holidays. Those special dishes are “set apart” for one important reason. They are not for common, everyday use. They are separate.
In the Bible, things were made holy when they were set apart for God. The Tabernacle was holy because it was God’s special house. The Sabbath day was holy because it was a special day for rest and worship. The priests were holy because they were set apart to serve God. So, when we ask what is holiness according to the bible, it simply means being set apart from common things and given to God.
What Is Holiness According to the Bible in God’s Character?
Things can be made holy, but God is holy in His very being. Holiness is not just something God does. It is who He is. It is the most important thing the Bible says about Him. It is what makes Him God.
The prophet Isaiah saw a vision of God in heaven. He heard angels crying out:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” – Isaiah 6:3 (NKJV)
They did not cry out, “Loving, loving, loving.” They said “holy” three times. This was the Hebrew way to say something was perfectly and completely true. God’s holiness means He is totally separate from all sin and evil. He is in a class all by Himself. He is pure light. In Him, there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).
How is God’s Holiness Different From Human Goodness?
Sometimes we think holiness is just being a “good person.” But God’s holiness is very different. Even our best efforts to be good are not close to God’s perfect standard. The prophet Isaiah also wrote:
“But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.” – Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV)
This does not mean doing good things is bad. It just means that next to God’s perfect purity, our goodness is not enough. His holiness is perfect. Ours is not. God’s holiness is like the bright sun. Our goodness is like a small candle. This helps us see how much we need Jesus.
Why Are We Commanded to Be Holy When We Ask What Is Holiness According to the Bible?
Knowing God is perfectly holy can be a little scary. It shows us how different we are from Him. But here is the amazing part. This holy God does not stay far away. He calls us to come near to Him. And He gives us a surprising command. The Apostle Peter wrote:
“but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” – 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV)
God tells us to be like Him. He calls us to be holy because He is holy. This is a family trait. As children of God, we should show our Father’s character to the world. Holiness is not just about rules. It is about becoming more like the One we love.
How Can We Possibly Be Holy Like God When Learning What Is Holiness According to the Bible?
When we hear the command “Be holy,” we might think, “I can’t do that!” And in our own strength, we can’t. We cannot make ourselves holy by trying hard. But the good news is that God does not ask us to do it alone.
The Bible teaches that holiness is a gift from God through Jesus. When we trust in Jesus, two great things happen.
First, we are given positional holiness. This means God sees us as holy because we are in Christ. Jesus’s perfect holiness is put on our account. In God’s eyes, we are set apart and seen as right with Him.
Second, we begin a lifelong process of progressive holiness. This is also called sanctification. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. He makes us more and more like Jesus each day. We work with the Spirit in this, but He is the one doing the real work.
How Does Understanding What Is Holiness According to the Bible Change Our Daily Lives?
Understanding holiness is not just for our minds. It is for our hearts and our actions. It should change how we live every day. A true understanding of what is holiness according to the bible leads to a changed life. It means we start to see the world in a new way. We are called to be “in the world, but not of the world” (John 17:14-16).
This means we live on earth, but our goals and desires come from God. We start to love what God loves. We start to hate what God hates. Sin may have seemed fun before. But now it makes us sad because we know it makes our holy Father sad. Holiness changes our choices, our words, what we watch, and how we treat people. It touches every part of our lives.
What Are Practical Steps Toward a Holy Life When We Ask What Is Holiness According to the Bible?
Holiness is a work of the Holy Spirit, but we have a part to play. We can choose to live a life that is set apart for God. Here are some simple, practical steps we can take:
- Spend time in God’s Word. The Bible is like a mirror. It shows us who God is and who we are becoming. The more we read it, the more our minds are changed (Romans 12:2).
- Pray all the time. Prayer connects us to God. It is where we admit our sins, ask for strength, and line up our hearts with His will.
- Meet with other believers. We were not made to live the Christian life by ourselves. Being with other Christians helps us, keeps us on track, and helps us grow (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- Run from temptation. The Bible tells us to run from sin. This means staying away from things that we know will lead us to sin (2 Timothy 2:22). It’s about being wise and guarding our hearts.
What Are Some Common Misunderstandings About Holiness?
Because holiness is so important, people can have wrong ideas about it. Fixing these wrong ideas can help us seek holiness with joy, not fear.
Does Holiness Mean Being Perfect and Never Sinning?
Many Christians feel sad because they still sin. They think if they were holy, they would be perfect. But holiness on earth is not about being perfect. That will only happen when we see Jesus in heaven.
For now, holiness is about the direction of our lives. Are we moving toward God or away from Him? When we do sin, a holy heart is quick to say sorry. We agree with God that our sin was wrong. We receive His forgiveness through Jesus. Then we get back up and keep walking toward Him. God’s grace is always there for us when we mess up.
Does Holiness Mean Being Boring or Hiding from the World?
Some people think a holy person is no fun. They think holy people just have a long list of rules. They think holiness means hiding from the world. But this is not what the Bible teaches at all!
True holiness is not about a list of “don’ts.” It is about a happy “yes” to God. It is about being set apart for something great, not just from bad things. Jesus was the holiest person ever, and He was full of joy. He went to parties. He spent time with sinners. He did not hide from the world. He came into the world to be a light. Holiness should make us more loving and joyful. It should make us care more about the world, not less. For those who wish to learn more, Dallas Theological Seminary has great articles on this topic.
What Is Holiness According to the Bible for A Final, Heartfelt Thought
My dear friend, understanding what is holiness according to the bible is a great adventure. It is about learning how beautiful our God is. He is pure and perfect. And it is about the amazing grace that this holy God asks us to be His children.
Holiness is not a heavy weight He puts on us. It is a loving gift. He gives it to us through His Son. He gives us power to live it out through His Spirit. It is the journey of becoming who God made us to be. We were made to show the great character of our Father to a world that needs Him. May we all say “yes” to His call and follow Him with all our hearts. This will bring Him glory and give us great joy.
FAQ – What Is Holiness According to the Bible
Does holiness mean we have to be perfect or hide from the world?
Holiness does not mean perfection or hiding from the world. Jesus was joyful and loving, was involved with people, and still lived a holy life. True holiness makes us more loving, joyful, and engaged with others.
Can we become holy on our own, or does God help us?
We cannot become holy by our own efforts alone. Holiness is a gift from God through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit helps us grow in holiness throughout our lives.
Why does the Bible command us to be holy if God is already holy?
God commands us to be holy because He is holy, and He calls us to reflect His character. Being holy is about growing to be more like Him and showing His love and purity to others.
How is God’s holiness different from human goodness?
God’s holiness is perfect and pure, completely separate from sin, like the bright sun. Human goodness is limited and imperfect, similar to a small candle, showing that we need Jesus to be truly holy.
What does holiness mean in the Bible?
Holiness in the Bible means being set apart or separated for God, like special dishes for a holiday. It involves being dedicated to God’s purposes, whether in objects, days, or people.
