Many Bible verses speak about God as being holy. Let’s read some:
- The Lord God Almighty, who was, is, and will come again, is holy, holy, holy. (text adapted from Revelation 4:8).
- Whoever does not fear You, O Lord, and exalt Your name? You are the only one who is holy. Because of the revelation of Your righteous deeds, all nations will assemble to worship You (Revelation 15:4).
- Of the gods, who is like You, O Lord? Who is like You, perfect in holiness, magnificent in magnificent deeds, working miracles? (Leviticus 15:11).
- “No one is holy like the Lord; for You alone exist; no rock is like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2).
God is separate
These verses make it very evident that God is unique among humans because of His holiness. God alone possesses full holiness. The word “holy” means “separate” in its basic sense. God is in a class by Himself, transcendentally distinct from His creation. The Bible passages mentioned above should inspire awe and reverence in us.
Even Isaiah cried out, “Woe is me!,” upon seeing a vision of God. Because my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts, I am lost; I am a man of dirty lips, and I live among unclean lips!” (Isaiah 6:5).
God is perfect
God’s holiness also includes the fact that He is independent of evil and without sin. [He is pure and perfect goodness]. As a result, He is not like us in nature or character. He serves as the moral benchmark for what is, among other things, “good,” “love,” and “righteous.” John states this metaphorically in 1 John 1:5, saying, “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.”
Sinful people can’t come close to a holy God
God is totally distinct from evil and sin, which means that He is likewise distinct from us sinful humans. It is impossible for us to approach God because of His holiness. This was demonstrated, for instance, by God’s commands about the construction of the Tabernacle by the Israelites. God desired to live among them, but the Israelites could not casually walk into His presence because He is holy. There was a need for atonement and separation, which was addressed in regulations pertaining to the priests’ religious responsibilities and the many kinds of sacrifices.
The “holy of holies” refers to the tabernacle, which is God’s earthly home. Only consecrated priests were allowed to enter the area before it, which was referred to as the “holy place.” Everything that is God’s is holy and separated from the everyday, immoral existence.
God’s holiness requires people to be holy as well
We read in the Old Testament how God needed the people of Israel to be holy and how He separated them from the other nations. “I am God, the Lord. Thus, set apart yourselves and observe holiness, for I am holy (Leviticus 11:44). According to Leviticus 20:26, “You shall be holy to Me, for I, the Lord, am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.” “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15) applies to Christians today.
How can we become holy?
We witnessed the division that results between the Lord and us because of the contrast between God’s righteousness and our depravity. We are unable to resolve the issue on our own. Our sins can only be “washed away” by Jesus’ atoning death, making us pure once more and enabling us to approach God in righteousness.
“Putting on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” is possible for us via faith (Ephesians 4:24). Our lives are transformed by the Holy Spirit, who resides in the hearts of believers. In order for us to “serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness,” He transforms us (Luke 1:74–75).
