Foundational to the study of holiness is to understand what it means. A secular understanding of holiness is not very helpful. Merriam-Webster mainly offers synonyms to grasp with the “quality or state of being holy.” Antonyms are also suggested to provide an idea of what holiness is not.
Synonyms Antonyms
Asceticism Depravity
Consecration Godlessness
Devoutness Impiety
Godliness Irreverence
Goodness Ungodliness
Morality Unholiness
Piety Vileness
Piousness Wickedness
Prayerfulness
Sacredness
Saintliness
Sanctify
Spirituality
Virtue
The question remains, “What is holiness?” Specifically, “What does the Bible mean by the term, holy?”
When used by the average person, the term holy tends to mean moral purity. To be holy is to have godly standards which are kept. To be holy is to be righteous in the sight of God.
When used by the Bible, the term holy reflects the meaning of two basic concepts. The secondary meaning refers to personal righteousness and moral purity. However, the primary meaning of holiness in Scripture is, separateness. To be holy is to be separate. That which is holy is that which is other, meaning that which is different from something else.
The Lord God is different from all other gods for He alone is transcendent. He is holy because He is other than the Universe and all that is therein (1 Sam. 2:2).
The Spirit of God is different from other spiritual beings and so is called the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).
Jesus is different from all other men and is called that Holy One (Acts 3:14 ).
Israel was different from all the other nations on earth (Deut. 7:6).
Christians are different from all other types of people on earth which is why they are called, saints (Rom. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:15-16).
The Church is different from all other religious organizations (1 Peter 2:9).
The Bible is different from all other books and is properly called the Holy Bible (2 Timoth 3:16).
In Scripture, the word holy is used as an adjective, which means it is a descriptive word.
- God is the holy One of Israel (Isa. 45:11).
- Moses stood on holy ground (Exod. 3:5).
- The Tabernacle contained holy vessels (1 Kgs. 8:4; 2 Chron. 1:22).
- Jerusalem is called the holy city (Rev. 21:2-4).
It is instructive to note that every tribe and nation has a holy time and space. There are national holidays, days which are separate from normal days in the year. Young people and adults might enjoy a special place to go when they want to think and be alone. Christians too seek such a place and find it in the heart of God.
There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God;
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before Thee,
near to the heart of God.There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God;
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God.There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of God;
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]~Cleland Boyd McAfee
Sacred space, and sacred times are a part of our lives.
For Christians, there are two sacred ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In baptism the soul that has been saved is set apart, buried in the likeness of our Lord’s death, and raised in the likeness of His resurrection to walk in the newness of life.
In like manner, the Lord’s Supper is a sacred act of worship. Bread and wine become holy elements used to remind the believer of what it cost Jesus to save a soul. Taking the bread, we remember Jesus said, “This is my body, broken for you.” Taking the wine, we remember Jesus said, “This is my blood, shed for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” Neither baptism nor the Lord’s Supper is to be taken lightly. Nor is there any substitute for bread and wine for these elements alone were sanctified by the Lord. They dare not be profaned.
In matters of the spirit, what makes a time, a place, an event, or an element holy is the touch of God. When Jacob woke up from dreaming, he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was unaware of it” (Gen. 28:16). Moses was told he stood on holy ground (Exodus 3:5, KJV). There was fire on the Mt. Sinai for God was present (Deut. 4:11). The ordinary becomes extra-ordinary when the transcendent eternal God is present.
When we are touched by God, we become uncommon. We become separate. The heart recognizes this and sings a song unto the Lord. Mirriam, David, Elizabeth, and Mary all sang a song of praise when they were visited by God.
Shackled by a heavy burden,
Neath a load of guilt and shame.
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.He touched me, Oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.Since I met this blessed Savior,
Since He cleansed and made me whole,
I will never cease to praise Him,
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls.He touched me, Oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole.~Bill Gaither
God is the difference between the secular and the sacred, between the earthly and the heavenly, between the profane and the profound.
Because God is so different from us, because He is so powerful, knowleable, and wise, because God is sovereign He is to be feared. The Bible says, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov. 9:10).
The word “fear” can refer to the terror or dread one feels in a threatening situation (Deut. 2:25).
The word “fear” can mean respect in the way an employee respects his employer (Joshua 24:14).
The word “fear” can convey a sense of reverence or awe of a great person who is worthy of honor (Isa. 6:5).
If a person desires to develop a fear of God, there must be a recognition of His essence, His power, strength, beauty, and power.
We give thee thanks,
O Lord God Almighty,
which art, and wast, and art to come;
because thou hast taken to thee thy
great power, and hast reigned.~Revelation 11:17
In the year that king Uzziah died
I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne,
high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.~Isaiah 6:1
Let us pray and ask God to reveal His majesty, power, and glory to our hearts for then we will know what holiness is.
“O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, ‘Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.’ Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.”
~ A. W. Tozer
The Collected Works of Stanford E. Murrell 