The Definition & Necessity of Holiness

By Dane Gardow

I have seen that many Christians do not understand what the term "holy" means. It does not mean righteousness, moral purity, integrity, or piety, though it is definitely true that these things are attached to it. To be holy means "to be separate; to be set apart." God is holy in that He is entirely separate and transcendent over all things; there is none like Him. The Bible describes Jesus being holy in that He is "separate from sinners" (Heb. 7:26).

God has called His people to be holy, which involves Him setting them apart, to be separate, from the world and unbelievers, and His people striving to that end.

"You are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine." ~ Lev. 20:26

"Come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. ~ 2Cor. 6:17

And I have seen people insist that holy means "Christlike." Yes, that is true; but that definition is entirely meaningless in light of various passages that involve holy garments (Exo. 28:2; Lev. 16:4; Eze. 42:14), holy anointing oil (Exo. 30:25, 31-32), holy food (Lev. 6:25, 29; 7:6), holy days (Gen. 2:3; Exo. 20:11; Neh. 10:31;), or holy places (Exo. 3:5; Lev. 6:26; 16:3). What did God mean when He commanded the Sabbath to be kept holy (Exo. 20:8)? What does it mean that certain garments are holy? Can it be said that these things are "Christlike"? As you can see, that definition doesn't hold up in these instances. What definition does? They are "set apart." God set apart the Sabbath day from all the rest; it is separate, different from the other days of the week. The holy garments, anointing oil, and food were all separated from common, everyday use and set apart solely for a sacred purpose in ministry. Holiness does involve Christlikeness, because Christ is holy…but that doesn't answer the question. What does it mean that Christ is holy? We need to correctly understand what it means to be holy so that we can strive for it and therefore be Christlike, because Scripture warns that without holiness, no one will see the Lord:

"Strive…for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." ~ Heb. 12:14 ESV

I have also seen many Christians assume a defeatist mindset, thinking it is impossible for them to be holy. This unbiblical and misguided thinking is no doubt a result of a misunderstanding rooting from a wrong definition of holiness, but also an ignorance of the high calling of a Christian and the fact that God expects His people to be holy. To be holy is a command which God expects to be carried out by faith and by the power of His Spirit. We are commanded to be "holy in all our behavior" (1 Pet. 1:15). The basis for the command is that God is holy; so those who are called by Him subsequently are to imitate holiness. If we are called by God, we must strive to walk in the same manner as He walked (1John 2:6). The reason this is so important is that our lifestyle is a demonstration and representation of God's character, and how we live directly impacts God's very own reputation, whether we are a source of God being praised and glorified (Matt. 5:16), or of Him being blasphemed among the Gentiles, or unbelievers (Rom. 2:24; 2Pet. 2:2).

"Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" ~ 1Pet. 1:15-16

If Christians are called and expected to be holy, and if holy means set apart, then what is it that Christians are to be set apart and separate from? We are called and commanded to be set apart from this world and from those who walk in the course of this world. This world system, this current age, is evil; nothing it offers comes from God, and friendship with it is enmity with God (Gal. 1:4; James 4:4; 1John 2:16). The whole world lies in the power of Satan, and has been taken captive by him to do his will (1John 5:19; 2Tim 2:26). If anyone loves this world or the things it offers, the love of God is not in them; those who desire to be friends with this world make themselves enemies of God. We are to be separate from this world; there is no fellowship between light and darkness (2Cor. 6:14).

We are to be separate from this world, and this involves:

1. Not partaking in its corrupt course, in which unbelievers walk according to the lusts of the flesh (Eph. 2:2-3; 5:7-8).
2. Not being conformed to it or stained by it (Rom. 12:2; James 1:27).
3. Not loving it or the things in it (1John 2:15-16).

And to emphasize a very important point: to be holy is a necessary result and evidence of salvation, not a cause or means for it. God justifies His people solely upon faith, according to His mercy alone and not works; and it is from this that a believer springs forth into a lifelong process of sanctification. Since sanctification is an evidence of justification, if your life is not characterized in some degree by holiness and a progression therein, it may be possible that you are deceived, lost, and still in your sins, with only an empty profession of faith. Please don't assume anything but, like Scripture exhorts, "Make your calling and election sure," (2Pet. 1:10). There is yet time for us, if we are honest, to call upon the name of the Lord if we are found to be lacking.

Consider with fear and reverence that we who belong to Christ are the ones God has appointed through whom His holiness is manifested in the sight of the nations; the highest archangel was never given this privilege! Therefore walk in a manner worthy of your calling, knowing that the eyes of the world are upon you; and strive for holiness and godliness, and no more for worldliness, because it is for His sake and glory.

"I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD," declares the Lord GOD, "when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight." ~ Eze. 36:23

"My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel." ~ Eze. 39:7

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