Journal 2018

One of the most profound and moving hymns of my childhood was Holy, holy, holy. In my little mind, I defined holiness as moral purity or perfection—a quality belonging only to God and something I could never attain. Thus “holier than thou” turned into a derogatory term meaning pride.

Some dictionary definitions of holiness include absoluteness, majesty, exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness. With these definitions, only God is truly holy, so why do the Scriptures tell humans to be holy? (Lev. 11:44; 19:2)

Another aspect of holiness suggests divine separation from all that is earthly, set apart, sacred, dedicated or consecrated to God. With this definition, a person cannot be holy-er. Either you are set apart or you’re not. You cannot be both holy and unholy. A vessel that was set apart in the temple was either used in the temple or it wasn’t. It’s like either you’re pregnant or you’re not.

Here’s a quick Bible verse search for the word holiness. Something to chew on.

• Holiness adorns your house for endless days O Lord. (Ps. 93:5)
• Glorious is holiness (Ex. 15:11)
• The beauty of holiness (I Chron. 16:29)
• Give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. (Ps. 30:4)
• The throne of his holiness (Ps. 47:8)
• The mountain of his holiness (Ps. 48:1)
• Highway … called The Way of Holiness. (Isa. 35:8)
• Courts of thy holiness (Jer. 23:9)
• Words of his holiness (Jer. 23:9)
• The spirit of holiness (Rom. 1:4)
• Put on the new man, which after God is created in … true holiness. (Eph. 4:24)
• God hasn’t called us to uncleanness but unto holiness. (I Thess. 4:7)
• Partakers of his holiness (Heb. 12:10)
• Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (Heb. 12:14)