It is likely that one of the least understood and most abused words in the English language is “holy.” On one end of the spectrum, we find extreme sanctimonious, “holier than thou” religious snobbery, while the other end of the spectrum houses the use of “holy” as something of an expletive.
Just as often, “holy” is used to express astonishment or amazement at some specific item, idea, or event that has moved us to that response. We typically have no objection to someone exclaiming, “Holy cow! He knocked that ball clear into the third deck!”
Burt Ward, who played the role of Robin in the 1960’s Batman series, was a pro at coming up with holy expressions from A to Z. Ward is recorded as having exclaimed 368 variations of holiness between 1966 and 1968. It may surprise you to learn that neither “Holy Cow!” nor “Holy Toledo!” is among them, but “Holy non-sequiturs, Batman!” is in Robin’s famed list.
The apostle Peter emphasized our calling.
…as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’
– 1 Peter 1:16, ESV
Be Holy
In these repeated calls from scripture for us to “be holy,” what exactly are we being asked to do?
Holiness has nothing to do with being sinless, sanctimonious, or pious. It has nothing to do with revival meetings, or particular activities or behaviors carried out in praise and worship. It has nothing to do with a style of music, prayer, or preaching.
The term in question is ἅγιος (hagios – haa-gee-ahs). It is a term of separation, being set apart for a specific purpose. We translate it as “holy,” or at times, “saint,” or “sanctified.” It can apply to persons or to inanimate objects.
Funds that you set aside as a tithe are holy. It is set apart. It is sanctified. A room set aside for a special purpose is a holy room. Perhaps it is a room dedicated to prayer time. That room is then considered sanctified.
Some Christian groups refer to the main auditorium of their church building as a sanctuary. It is a room set aside for a particular purpose. In reality, it is just a room, but we choose to make it dedicated to a set-apart purpose.
The inner rooms or chambers of the Jewish temple were set aside as exceedingly special rooms. Therefore, they were referred to as “the holy place,” and “the most holy place,” or “holy of holies.”
The Hebrew people were chosen of God—set aside as a holy people. It is not that they were extra pure, superior, or in any way deserving. They were simply chosen and set aside for God’s purposes, and as such, they were holy.
You Be Holy
As a Christ-follower, what does it mean for you to be holy? Entire volumes have been written in answer to that question, but today we will focus on five specific attributes of holiness that we should pursue as Christ-followers.
And I want to call your attention to the fact that none of these are abstentions. Holiness is not abstaining. Holiness is a pursuit.
1 – Pursue Purity
Purity for Christ-followers has taken a significant beating in the current cultural climate. Indeed, that very phrase, “purity culture” is something of a cuss word in some Christian circles. It is a sad commentary on the body of Christ when some can look at a call to purity and say, “That’s a bad thing.”
To me, “Purity” is a beautiful word. It conjures up the loveliest of images in my mind. Something that is pure is untainted, uncut. It has no fillers, is unmixed and devoid of anything that would serve to defile it.
And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
– 1 John 3:3, ESV
What makes us holy is not that we are pure, but rather that we pursue it. The world does not do that. The world pursues filth, pressing the edge to the greatest extent possible. The next move has to be just slightly more raw than the last one. “If you thought that was sick, wait till you see what I do next!“
As a follower of Jesus, we pursue the opposite edge. We pursue what is lovely, what is pure, what is kind, what is gentle, those things that are worthy of admiration.
2 – Pursue Light
We pursue light because God is light,1 and we are pursuing God. We pursue light because Jesus is the Light of men,2 and we are pursuing Jesus. The world does not pursue Jesus, and neither does it pursue light. The world does not even understand the light.3 Light makes no sense to those who exist outside the body of Christ.
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
– John 1:5, NASB
As Christ-followers, we not only understand and pursue the light, it is the light that cleanses and purifies us.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
– 1 John 1:7, NIV-1978
3 – Pursue Love
We pursue love with relentless passion. Love is the greatest and second greatest commandment from God. If I cannot do anything else, I must pursue love. The apostle Paul said “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”4
Since that is true, I must apply myself to learning to love, and to love well! Consider the implications of the reality that not only does God love, but that God IS love!
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
– 1 John 4:7-8, ESV
4 – Pursue Service
As Christ-followers, we diligently pursue a life of service toward others. It is not merely that we are willing to do service for others. We actually pursue it. We look for opportunities to do so.
We call Jesus Master, and we call him Lord. No servant is greater than his master,5 and our Master is a man who serves.
For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
– Luke 22:27, ESV
Jesus patterned a life of service for us and he bids us to walk in that pattern. A holy man, a holy woman will serve willingly, gladly, not begrudgingly.
5 – Pursue Forgiveness
Many years ago, I was contemplating a horrific sin that was committed against me. I say, without qualification, it was enormous. I was wounded, vulnerable, and bitter. I wrestled with the knot in my gut as I struggled to know how to forgive this extreme betrayal. Amid that battle, God made it clear to me, Consider the depth of your own sin, Damon. If I can forgive you all of that, then you, likewise, can forgive this.” The logic of that was irrefutable.
Jesus has forgiven each of us times beyond numbering. And just as the sin against me wounded me deeply and painfully, my sins wounded Jesus. Yet, he forgives, and he invites me into fellowship as he calls me to forgive others and invite them into fellowship.
Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
– Ephesians 4:32, ESV
Remember…
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
– Hebrews 12:14, ESV
Blessings upon you, my friends.
Victoriously in Christ!
– damon
DamonJGray.org
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1. 1 John 1:5
2. John 1:4
3. John 1:5
4. Galatians 5:6
5. John 13:16, 15:20
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