Biblical definition of HOLINESS:
The Hebrew word for “holiness” is qōdes, a word that highlights the realm of the sacred in contrast to everything common and profane. The adjective qādôš, “holy,” refers to God and what belongs to him. In various places in the Hebrew Scriptures, God is called by the title the “Holy One of Israel.”
The New Testament uses the words hagiazo, to “make holy” and hagio “holy” or “sacred.” Jesus is called “the Holy One of God.” And those who acclaim Jesus as Lord are called ha...
Biblical definition of HOLINESS:
The Hebrew word for “holiness” is qōdes, a word that highlights the realm of the sacred in contrast to everything common and profane. The adjective qādôš, “holy,” refers to God and what belongs to him. In various places in the Hebrew Scriptures, God is called by the title the “Holy One of Israel.”
The New Testament uses the words hagiazo, to “make holy” and hagio “holy” or “sacred.” Jesus is called “the Holy One of God.” And those who acclaim Jesus as Lord are called hagioi, or “saints.” As believers, we are literally set apart, made holy, because of our relationship with the one who bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful human beings.
Psalm 30:4 KJV - Sing to the LORD, O ye His saints, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.
Thankfulness should be a key characteristic, a marker, for Jesus' followers. We ought to be the most thankful, joyful people on this planet.
And the remembrance of the holiness of God should inspire us to give thanks. (Keep this in mind the next time you attend a worship service and sing to the Lord Most High.)
Because God is holy, and cannot be unholy, we have hope and assurance that in all His ways toward us, He can be trusted. The holiness of God only adds to the faithfulness of God. How could an utterly, completely holy God do wrong, make decisions to harm us, deny of the things that matter most in light of His Kingdom and eternity? He is holy, and so He is good. And that goodness extends to us, His people.
Isaiah 35:8 NLT - And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God's ways; fools will never walk there.
Who you walk with matters.
If you find yourself surrounded by evil-minded people, or by foolish people, you likely need to pause, examine your surrounding and your life, and determine whether or not you are really walking on God's Highway of Holiness.
Find people who are walking in God's ways and move on from those who are not. How can two walk together unless they agree, it asks in Ecclesiastes. How, indeed? You can love people who are not walking in the Lord's ways, but it isn't wise to walk side-by-side, hand-in-hand with them. And if you are walking hand-in-hand with foolish, evil-minded people, can I lovingly and caringly as...WHY?
2 Corinthians 7:1 Amplified - Therefore, since we have these great and wonderful promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness (living a consecrated life - a life set apart for God's purpose, in the fear of God).
This verse mentions God's promises. It also mentions holiness.
Do we want God's promises to be our reality?
If the answer is YES, then we must focus on our own personal holiness. Not perfection, but consecration.
Would you say that you live your life as one set apart for His purpose? And do you have a healthy fear of God, wherein He is reverenced as He ought to be?
Holiness matters so very much.
And a lost, hurting, broken world needs a whole lot of holy living by God's people.
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Jan is the author of the new book “A 60-Day Prayer Journal for Parents” & “The Power of God’s Will – 40 Days of God’s Promises Devotional” (available on Amazon). Find Jan on Instagram: @JanLBurt, TikTok @JanLBurt or at her website JanLBurt.com or at her YouTube channel, “God’s Promises for You with Jan L. Burt”.
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