God has blessed us to be a people of stability. This requires us to be holy and right before God and man. What is does that entail? First of all, it is in our best interest to be holy even as God Himself is holy (Lev. 11.44-45). The idea of holiness is amazing and full of encouragement, for it describes our God entirely. God is set apart from sin and iniquity. As the people of God, we must be holy and upright before God on a daily basis. Therefore, holiness is the state of being holy and totally devoted to God. Being set apart from the world and dedicated to God is the state we should long for and strive to have in every part of our lives. Holiness should be our aim and desire in life as the people of God.

The LORD is known as the Most High (Ps. 47.2). He is the One that sanctifies (Lev. 21.8). Jesus would say in His prayer in John 17.17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”. He is the One that has a holy people who has been set apart for Him only (Deut. 14.2). God being holy is equivalent to, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn. 1.5). Great men were associated with the Most High God in the scriptures; men like Melchizedek, who was a priest of the Most High God (Gen. 14.18), Abram (Gen. 14.19), and the three Hebrew boys (Dan. 3.26). Jesus was acknowledged (and He did not deny it) as the Son of the Most High God (Mark 5.7). Paul and Silas were also acknowledged as servants of the Most High God (Acts 16.17). Hopefully we can be acknowledged as being associated with the Most High God through His Son.

Holiness, which literally means to be dedicated, separate, apart(ness) and sacred(ness) to God is vital to our existence on earth and in the church. God’s people are tasked with living holy before God and one another. Furthermore, the world is to see our good works (holiness) and glorify our Father in heaven. For this reason, the word of God, which is holy, produces after its own kind and we demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5.22-23). The one fruit, which is seen in nine characteristics, is designed to bring out the best character in us as people. But what does this mean for us today? How can or do we apply the holiness of God in our lives? How can we better ourselves in the realm of holiness and righteousness? This is not by ease and will require us working out our salvation (Phil. 2.12).

Holiness is not accidental, nor is it for the weak and lazy. Being holy requires focus, faith and fixation upon Jesus and His teachings. We are to grow and develop our minds, attitudes and actions towards God and our fellow man. Holiness demands we love God with all of our being (Matt. 22.37-39). Being holy is part of the daily presentation that makes us acceptable to God, thus not being conformed to this world (Rom. 12.1). This is seen in our attitude towards righteousness and holiness. A great question at this point is this: “What is our attitude towards righteousness and holiness?” We cannot put up with flippancy in our hearts and lives, for this will result in unrighteous behavior and lackadaisical moods and mentalities towards the work of God. If we are going to be holy, it will require a hunger and thirst for the word of God and genuinely seeking the kingdom and His righteousness (Matt. 5.6; 6.33-34). Brethren, be holy.

Holiness in the assembly of the saints is vital to the entire congregation’s well being.  Holiness is seen in our love for one another in the worship assembly (1 Cor. 11.17-34). “Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you” (Rom. 16.16). Notice the “holy kiss” in the passage. We are to acknowledge one another in a genuine and spiritual way and therefore demonstrate great love and concern for one another. Our fellowship with one another has to be that which genuinely seeks to build up one another (Jude 20). Holiness seeks to help each other through the difficult times in which Satan (as a roaring lion) sets out to devour us through temptation and allurements (1 Pet. 5.8). For this reason, we must remain steadfast and immovable in the word of God which is holy, right and good (Rom. 7.12).

Finally, as we learn to put off the old man and put on the new, which is renewed in knowledge, we begin to develop and solidify our spiritual man in Christ (Col. 3.5-11). We strengthen the moral character of righteousness within us. For this reason we put away childish attitudes and behaviors and most importantly, sin (1 Cor. 13.11ff). Let us do our best to ensure we add to our faith and ever look to be holy in mind and body as we serve the Lord Jesus (2 Cor. 7.1). Again, holiness is not accidental nor is it something we can put off till tomorrow. We must choose the things God chooses and sincerely do the will of God from the heart. God has given us power and that power is in the choice we have to do His will and be holy even as God Himself is holy (1 Pet. 1.15-16).