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HOLINESS (SANCTIFICATION) 

I PETER 1:13-17; HEBREWS 12:14

            The Greek word used here for holiness is hagiasmos which signifies (1) “separated to God” as a state of being, and (2) “the character or conduct befitting those who are separated or set apart for God”.  This same word and its’ verb form ‘hagiazo’ are also translated as sanctification and sanctify.

Holiness attaches itself first of all, not to visible objects, but to God and then to places, seasons, things and human beings only in so far as they are associated with God. While the idea of ceremonial holiness is a strong theme in the Old Testament, especially in The Law, in the prophets the ethical responsibility of being holy in conduct came to the forefront (Isaiah 5; Jeremiah 5-7; Amos 4-5; Hosea 11).  

1. The Holiness of God:

As applied to God the notion of holiness is used in the Old Testament in two distinct
senses.  First it is used in the more general sense of separation from all that is human and earthly. It thus denotes the absoluteness, majesty, and awesomeness of the Creator in His distinction from the creature. This use of the word, "holiness" is almost synonymous with "Divine" (Isaiah 52:10; Psalm 98:1; Leviticus 20:3).  Second, the Old Testament speaks of God’s holiness of character and conduct (Leviticus 11:44; Leviticus 19:2). 

2. Holiness of Place, Time and Object:

From the holiness of God is derived the ceremonial holiness of things.  Whatever is connected with the worship of God is holy.  Nothing is holy in itself, but anything becomes holy by its consecration to Him. A place where He manifests His presence is holy ground (Exodus 3:5). The temple in which His glory is revealed is a holy building (Exodus 28:29; 2 Chron. 35:5); and all its sacrifices (Exodus 29:33), ceremonial materials (Exodus 30:25; Numbers 5:17) and utensils (1 Kings 8:4) are also holy. The Sabbath is holy because it is the Sabbath of the Lord (Exodus 20:8-11). Holiness expresses the act of separation from common use, and dedication to the service of God.

3. Holiness of Men:

The holiness of men is of two kinds: 

(1) Ceremonial - corresponding to one being set apart for the service of God. Priests and Levites were holy because they had been "hallowed" or "sanctified" by acts of consecration (Exodus 29:1; Leviticus 8:12, 30). The Nazirite was holy because he separated himself unto the Lord (Numbers 6:5). Above all, Israel, even with all its sins and shortcomings, was holy, as a nation separated from other nations for Divine purposes and uses (Exodus 19:6; Leviticus 20:24).

(2) Ethical and Spiritual - Unlike other creatures, man was made in the image of God and
capable of reflecting His character. As God reveals Himself as holy in character and conduct, He calls man to a holiness resembling His own (Leviticus 19:2; Psalm 15:1).

In the New Testament the term "holy" is seldom applied to God the Father, and except in quotations from the Old Testament (Luke 1:49; 1 Peter 1:15), only in the John’s writings (John 17:11; Rev. 4:8; Rev. 6:10). But it is constantly used of the Spirit of God (Matthew 1:18; Acts 1:2; Romans 5:5).  In several passages the holy is applied to Christ as being the very type of perfection (Mark 1:24; Acts 3:14; Acts 4:30; Hebrews 7:26).  In keeping with the fact that things are holy when set apart for the service of God, the word is used of Jerusalem (Matthew 4:5), the Old Testament covenant (Luke 1:72), the Law (Romans 7:12), the Scriptures (Romans 1:2), the Mount of Transfiguration (2 Peter 1:18).

Where the believer is concerned, holiness conveys the notion of a separation from the world and a consecration to God (I Thess. 4:1-7; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).  However, holiness or sanctification, like righteousness, has both an aspect of being imputed to the believer and of requiring that we live a lifestyle of holiness.  We were set apart to God in conversion, and we must live out that dedication to God in holiness.

Imputed Holiness (Heb. 2:9-11; Heb. 10:10, 14; Heb. 13:13; Rom. 15:15; I Cor 6:11)

I Cor. 3:17 - Christ by his Spirit dwells in all true believers. Christians are holy by profession, and should be pure and clean, both in heart and lifestyle. However, this does not release the believer of the responsibility of personal holiness.

Eph. 1:4 – Before the foundation of the world, God decided that all who would accept the sacrificial death of Jesus would stand holy and without blame before Him.  The evidence that one has accepted the sacrificial death of Jesus is his willingness to submit to the will of God and to commit himself to carrying out the will of God for his life.

Eph. 4:23-24 – The believer is charged with putting on the new self which has been created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  The fact that we are to put on this new nature speaks of our living out the righteousness and true holiness that has been created in us.

Col. 3:12-17 – As the elect of God we are called holy and beloved.  But even though we are called holy, we are still instructed to dress in certain characteristics.

A Lifestyle of Holiness (Ps 15:1-2; Matt. 5:17-20)

Eph. 4:1 – Since God has called us holy, sanctified one, righteous ones we are here encouraged to walk worthy of this calling.  We are to live not like we are apart of the world, but a separated life based on the standard of God’s holiness.

2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 – Though we live in this world, we must not take on the ways of this world.  We are to separate ourselves in words, thoughts and deeds.

Rom. 6:19, 22 – It is now our responsibility to yield our body only to righteous and holy living.  We are told in Col. 3:1-3 to set our desires on heavenly and not earthly things.  We are told in Phil 4:8 to think or focus on what is honest, true, just, pure, lovely and praiseworthy.  Phil 1:27 says that we are to live a lifestyle that is becoming to the Gospel of Christ.  We represent God in this earth and He has a standard by which He would like to be represented.  As He is holy, He tells us in I Peter 1:15 to be holy in every part of our life.

2 Peter 3:10-13 – Since we know that God cannot lie and that what He has declared He will do shall come to past, we should with all diligence seek to live a godly and holy lifestyle.  Though God calls us holy, living a lifestyle of holiness is mandatory.  Hebrews  12:14 clearly tells us that holiness is a requirement for seeing God.  A commitment to God is a commitment to holy living.