What is holiness?

[GiveHimGlory]

I think traditionally within at least certain Christian traditions "holiness" has meant a certain lifestyle - if you typically buy a book on holiness it will be a list of rules about avoiding "worldly" influences. That's the "holiness" tradition, anyway.

But if you look at what the Bible says about righteous or holy people - that is, the "called out" ones - the sanctified - it is talking about people who were called by God and fulfilled their purpose. If you look at Ez 14:12-23 it talks about Noah, Daniel and Job as "righteous", yet really what did they have in common? Was it because they all followed the same set of rules that they were rightous?

Or in the New Testament - look at Jesus and John the Baptist. These are people who were individuals, who stood out, who were really quite unique. And look at how different their "lifestyles" were! Yet how often is talk of holiness about discovering what God's purpose is for you, and how to fulfil it to make yourself someone who is unique and different, and how often is it about keeping a set of rules?

Isn't being righteous about being led by the Spirit to become a unique creation, to dare to be different, to essentially be yourself, doing all the things, achieving all the plans God has for you?

This sort of thing - in my opinion - is much more encouraging to young people, then they don't see God as someone that inhibits them, but someone who gives them wings.

Any thoughts?

[WayneV]

GiveHimGlory,

I think you are on the right track. There is no holiness but God's holiness. Holiness is not an 'attribute' of God. God is holy! As you mentioned, holiness is seperation. However, it is not just seperation from sin and uncleanness, it is seperation to God. God's people are seperate in that we belong to God. By virtue of belonging to God, we become "partakers of His holiness" ( Heb. 12:10, KJV, emphasis added; cf. 2 Pet. 1:4).

[Twilight]

You make some good points here GHG.

Holiness only comes when we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the heart.

When we are "born again".

As we learn to "walk with God", in His constance presence.

As we learn to "commune" with Him, all day long.

As we confess those sins as they are shown to us and receive Christ's character in its place.

As we reconnect to God.

Then we become Holy.

wHoly His.

And rules and regulations can never take the place of that.

[Leagnus]

Holiness is freedom from sin. There is nothing to talk on and on.

[Denise]

Holiness is pure, clean, and beautiful! Just a few beautiful verses....

1Ch 16:29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Exo 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

2Ch 20:21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth forever.

2Ch 31:18 And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:

Psa 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Psa 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.