What is holiness according to the Bible? How can I be holy?
In 1 Peter 1:16 we read, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." What is holiness? How can we be holy?The word translated "holiness" in the New Testament means to be "set apart." In the Old Testament, holiness was generally connected with God's perfection. How can we be set apart and perfect? All people have sinned (Romans 3:23) and are imperfect. Our only option to be set apart is through the salvation offered through Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9). When we believe in Jesus as Lord, He cleanses us from sin and makes us holy (1 John 1:7). Theologians often refer to this concept as positional sanctification.
First Peter 2:9 speaks of this new status as well: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." God calls us holy even though we still commit sins during this life.
In addition to being "made" holy, we are called to live holy lives. First Peter 1:15 teaches, "As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." The previous verse adds, "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance" (v. 14). We are commanded to avoid the ways we practiced before becoming a Christian and live according to God's ways. We can only do this by living by the power of God's Spirit, following the principles found in God's Word.
Theologians refer to this daily practice of living for God to become more holy as progressive sanctification. As we seek to follow God's will each day, we can increasingly become holy as we become more like Christ. Our goal should be to say like Paul, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Regardless of the progress we make to become more holy in this life, we will never be perfect. We will still sin at times, as Paul wrote in Romans 7:18-19, "For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." It will only be in heaven that all sin will be removed from our lives and we are made perfect. Theologians refer to this as perfective sanctification.
These three concepts can be very helpful in our daily walk with God. When we are saved, we are made holy. In addition, we are called to obey God and grow in holy living each day. Though we will never be perfect in this life, God can and will work in our lives to help us better live for Him. After this life, we can anticipate a perfect, eternal existence with God in which we no longer sin and are made perfectly holy, living in the presence of God forever.
Is entire sanctification possible? Can Christians achieve sinless perfection in this life?
How are Christians not of this world?
What is the concept of biblical separation?
How can I seek first the kingdom of God?
What must I do to please God?
Truth about the Christian Life
