Many do not understand the word holiness. Some think it is a matter of wearing no makeup or jewelry. They believe clothing covering every part of your body makes you holy. Some view it as strictly something that refers only to God. The misconceptions are many.
The word holy means to be set apart. It is to be different from the common or profane things. In Genesis 2:3, God uses the word sanctified when speaking of the seventh day. The word sanctified means to purify, set apart to be holy. “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” God has ordained that one day a week be set apart for us to rest and focus on Him.
God not only designated a day to be holy, but He has called us to be holy as He is holy. In Leviticus 19:2, God had blessed the Israelites as His chosen people. He wanted them to be separate and distinct from all others. They were to worship Him and Him alone. His orders to them were, “Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” This was to be exhibited in a morally pure lifestyle. A life that would reflect the character of the God they served. The same standard is set for us also. We must strive to live according to God’s standards, not our own.
While we will never be perfect until we reach Heaven, we must strive to be like Jesus. In I Peter 1:15-16, New Testament Christians are called to the same standard as God’s chosen people in the Old Testament. “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.” We are to live separated from sin. Seeking not what the flesh wants but what is in line with the teachings of the Bible. We are called to reflect the character of God. We are His children, and just as we reflect our earthly parents, we are to reflect our heavenly Father.
Holiness is not a putting on of specific garments or acting piously. It is an attitude of the heart and mind to be like Jesus. However, the outside will follow the same pattern when the inside is in line with our Father. We are told to be modest in our apparel, meaning that we are not to draw attention to ourselves by being lavish. We are not to dress in a sensual fashion that would cause others to lust or be drawn to us in a fleshly manner. We are to be humble, not haughty, egotistical, boastful, or vain. Those attitudes will show in our actions just as humility will.
I Timothy 2:9-10 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
God is without sin, and that should be our goal. In I Thessalonians 4:7, we are taught, “For God has not called us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
So, where do you stand on this issue of being holy? Do you stop and think about your actions and attitudes? How often do you self-examine to determine things you need to change to reflect the character of God? It is vital if we intend to fulfill our mission of winning the world to Christ. We are left here to represent Him, and we do either good or bad. It is your choice.
