Holiness - is that still a thing?

We sang about it yesterday.  It is one of those “religious” words that flows easily out of our reservoir of Christian-ese vocabulary.  It is used to describe God.  Presumably, it sets the standard for what we “ought” to be.  Its use is so common that we use the word frequently but do we understand what it means?  I am referring to the word, “Holy.”

How would you define it?  Do you struggle to find the right words (it is kinda this and sorta that but . . . )?  You aren’t alone!

One of the most familiar definitions (at least amongst Christians) is, “dedicated to, separated from, consecrated.”  We can add to that the ideas of purity, wholeness, integrity, and not sinning.  Yes, all that describes God.  In all honesty, it doesn’t describe me - at least not completely.  Is this a complete picture of holiness or is there more to it?  Since sin is a constant struggle (Romans 7, 1 John 1:9-10), is holiness even attainable?  Is the holiness-quest futile?

In the pursuit to “be holy,” holiness is commonly reduced to a list of compliance standards, things that I do (or don’t do).  After all, doesn’t the Apostle Peter quote God when he writes, “Be holy, for I am holy?” (1 Peter 1:16).  I can’t disagree with that.  For much of my life, I also didn’t understand it.

We need to clarify the nuances of holiness.  When used to describe God, the emphasis is on His completeness, wholeness, otherness, and absolute consistency of His nature and character.  Theologians also use the phrase “divine simplicity” to describe this element of God’s nature and character;  He is always everything He is (He doesn’t stop being loving while He is being righteous).  

When used to describe things (like the tools used by the priests in the Tabernacle or Temple), the nuance is “exclusively for the use of.”  The instructions about the construction and use of these instruments is clear (Exodus 26-29).  Abuse of these standards resulted in extreme punishment, frequently death.  To be fair, the reverse was sometimes true.  According to Exodus 30:29, whoever touched the Tabernacle/Temple instruments would themselves become “holy.”  Wow - does that mean “instant sanctification?”  If I want to be holy, do I just need to find holy stuff and touch it?

What does this word mean when we apply it to ourselves?  Does it mean to live “separated” from “sinners” so we do not contaminate ourselves?  Does it mean our ultimate goal is sinless living?  Is holiness an old-fashioned religious buzzword for behavioural modification?

Holiness describes the nature of our relationship with God.  It does encompass our morality and ethics (e.g., not committing murder, loving one another).  More importantly, it is our mindset toward God and His Kingdom, for out of this our behaviours flow (Mark 7:20ff).  Holiness is how we express our commitment to that relationship.  

Holiness is loyalty.

If the Kingdom of God is real (and it is), and if the King of that Kingdom is Jesus Christ (and He is), and if we are citizens of that Kingdom NOW and not just when we die (and we are), then it naturally follows that I will be loyal to that Kingdom.  If an individual chooses to be disloyal to their “natural” citizenship (Canadian, British, Australian, etc.), they are designated as treasonous.  This is an excellent analogy for understanding “holiness.”  Our primary allegiance is to the King.  We desire to represent Him well.  We do that by embracing the truths of His Kingdom even though many of them exist in tension with the “natural” (sinful) state of things in God’s created order.  Will we always fulfill that responsibility perfectly?  No.  Can this Kingdom still be our primary passion and pursuit?  Yes.

That is what it means to be holy.

It is also the source of our hope.  Intriguingly, Peter and John (two of Jesus’ closest disciples) link holiness to hope:

But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (1Peter 3:14-15 ESV)

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1John 3:2-3 ESV)

Holiness is not an abstract, heavy, shame-based and defeating idea which, like a pebble in our shoe, constantly reminds us of how unworthy we are.  It is an uplifting, encouraging truth that teaches us that God is faithful and consistent in our relationship with Him.  Holiness nurtures hope.  Both are based on the work of God in us, not our performances that we *hope* will somehow satiate Him and so He will dispense His favour on us.

We are hopeful because God is holy.