What is Holiness?

[Tree of Life]

The best definition I’ve heard comes from Sinclair Ferguson. Without going into language studies and examining Scripture passages I believe we can formulate a rough and ready definition.

Some suggest that holiness is primarily a separateness. This fits in most contexts. Israel was to be separate from other nations and thus holy. God is separate from his creation and thus holy. Particular priestly perfumes were “set apart” and could only be used for priests and thus holy.

The problem with this is that it could not describe God in himself. God is holy and has always been holy. He was holy even before creation. But before creation, God was not set apart or separate from anything. So separateness must be an accidental feature of holiness and not essential to it.

Better to understand holiness as devotion. A holy thing is something that is devoted to God. In this way the priesthood is holy, the temple is holy, and every Christian is holy. The Christian life is a life devoted to God. Growth in holiness means a growth in our devotion to God. This also fits with God in himself. Even before creation, God was perfectly devoted to himself and his own glory.

Understanding holiness in this way has been a help to me. What are your thoughts on this understanding?

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

The best definition I’ve heard comes from Sinclair Ferguson. Without going into language studies and examining Scripture passages I believe we can formulate a rough and ready definition.

Some suggest that holiness is primarily a separateness. This fits in most contexts. Israel was to be separate from other nations and thus holy. God is separate from his creation and thus holy. Particular priestly perfumes were “set apart” and could only be used for priests and thus holy.

The problem with this is that it could not describe God in himself. God is holy and has always been holy. He was holy even before creation. But before creation, God was not set apart or separate from anything. So separateness must be an accidental feature of holiness and not essential to it.

Better to understand holiness as devotion. A holy thing is something that is devoted to God. In this way the priesthood is holy, the temple is holy, and every Christian is holy. The Christian life is a life devoted to God. Growth in holiness means a growth in our devotion to God. This also fits with God in himself. Even before creation, God was perfectly devoted to himself and his own glory.

Understanding holiness in this way has been a help to me. What are your thoughts on this understanding?

Sounds like the story of your life.

 

[dreadnought]

The best definition I’ve heard comes from Sinclair Ferguson. Without going into language studies and examining Scripture passages I believe we can formulate a rough and ready definition.

Some suggest that holiness is primarily a separateness. This fits in most contexts. Israel was to be separate from other nations and thus holy. God is separate from his creation and thus holy. Particular priestly perfumes were “set apart” and could only be used for priests and thus holy.

The problem with this is that it could not describe God in himself. God is holy and has always been holy. He was holy even before creation. But before creation, God was not set apart or separate from anything. So separateness must be an accidental feature of holiness and not essential to it.

Better to understand holiness as devotion. A holy thing is something that is devoted to God. In this way the priesthood is holy, the temple is holy, and every Christian is holy. The Christian life is a life devoted to God. Growth in holiness means a growth in our devotion to God. This also fits with God in himself. Even before creation, God was perfectly devoted to himself and his own glory.

Understanding holiness in this way has been a help to me. What are your thoughts on this understanding?

When I think of a holy person, I think of one who has repented of their sin.

 

[Drought of the Heart]

Good question and when I need an answer I take the time to see how it is used in Scriptures.
First time used Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
God is Holy so anything He loves. I look at who pleased Him and why in Scriptures like Daniel. Sometimes when I want to be reminded I listen to this...

 

[Drought of the Heart]

Job 32-42 are great reminders

 

[Shempster]

I think holiness means that we do not follow the ways and the systems of the world, but ignore them in favor of living out God's love.

 

[JIMINZ]

The best definition I’ve heard comes from Sinclair Ferguson. Without going into language studies and examining Scripture passages I believe we can formulate a rough and ready definition.

Some suggest that holiness is primarily a separateness. This fits in most contexts. Israel was to be separate from other nations and thus holy. God is separate from his creation and thus holy. Particular priestly perfumes were “set apart” and could only be used for priests and thus holy.

The problem with this is that it could not describe God in himself. God is holy and has always been holy. He was holy even before creation. But before creation, God was not set apart or separate from anything. So separateness must be an accidental feature of holiness and not essential to it.

Better to understand holiness as devotion. A holy thing is something that is devoted to God. In this way the priesthood is holy, the temple is holy, and every Christian is holy. The Christian life is a life devoted to God. Growth in holiness means a growth in our devotion to God. This also fits with God in himself. Even before creation, God was perfectly devoted to himself and his own glory.

Understanding holiness in this way has been a help to me. What are your thoughts on this understanding?

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The setting apart for the Christian because he is Holy is sort of, Christians have been set apart for God's use, as with any of the vessels of the Temple were.

John 17:16
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Our Holiness in relation to the world is set apart, but in relation to God is is a Uniting, a Reconciling

Gal. 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

John 14:20
At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

The point is, I am now no longer separate, I am One with God Through Jesus Christ.

John 10:30
I and my Father are one.

John 17:24
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

 

[Inkfingers]

Some suggest that holiness is primarily a separateness. This fits in most contexts. Israel was to be separate from other nations and thus holy. God is separate from his creation and thus holy. Particular priestly perfumes were “set apart” and could only be used for priests and thus holy.

That is sacredness rather than holiness as such; 'sacred' coming from a root that means 'set apart'. It is similar to the Polynesian concept of tapu/taboo.

Holiness in turn comes from a root meaning 'wholeness', meaning that it is faultless and not lacking, and so embodies wisdom, immortality, and moral rightness (foolishness, mortality, and moral wrongness being defined by a lack).

 

[fhansen]

I now tend to think that the term "love" encompasses and subsumes many other terms: holiness, righteousness, justice. Love constitutes our justice, which is why the Greatest Commandments are what they are. And it's what can set us apart, as it consists of the very image and nature of God that we're to be transformed into, and provides the authentic means and motivation for us to stand apart, in the right way.

Otherwise it seems the term "holiness" might be empty, elusory, devoid of any real character that would give it definition. We might mistake it for stoicism, austerity, desirelessness, all negative qualities that don't really flesh out or give depth to the concept. Even purity or sinlessness are truly present only when love is their cause, as love opposes and precludes sin by its nature.

 

[Tangible]

Holiness, as it applies to the Christian, is a gift given to us by God. We are sinners by nature and are not holy, but God covers over our sinfulness with the alien righteousness of Christ making us holy in his eyes.

 

[W2L]

The best definition I’ve heard comes from Sinclair Ferguson. Without going into language studies and examining Scripture passages I believe we can formulate a rough and ready definition.

Some suggest that holiness is primarily a separateness. This fits in most contexts. Israel was to be separate from other nations and thus holy. God is separate from his creation and thus holy. Particular priestly perfumes were “set apart” and could only be used for priests and thus holy.

The problem with this is that it could not describe God in himself. God is holy and has always been holy. He was holy even before creation. But before creation, God was not set apart or separate from anything. So separateness must be an accidental feature of holiness and not essential to it.

Better to understand holiness as devotion. A holy thing is something that is devoted to God. In this way the priesthood is holy, the temple is holy, and every Christian is holy. The Christian life is a life devoted to God. Growth in holiness means a growth in our devotion to God. This also fits with God in himself. Even before creation, God was perfectly devoted to himself and his own glory.

Understanding holiness in this way has been a help to me. What are your thoughts on this understanding?

God is separate from mankind. His ways are above ours.