Tag Archives | perfection

The Holiness of Saints

By on in Theology

From collecting various thematic pericopes around the subject of holiness, it was of interest to further narrow this state of being toward people who are believers in Christ. Just as it is necessary to understand the holy attributes of God in a limited way, human response to that and its effect on persons is a matter of very high priority. Holiness is a required state of being in life before entry into Heaven.

“Hebrews has declared how Jesus’ sacrifice makes us holy once for all in status (Heb 10:10), giving us confident access to God. In this verse, “holiness” refers to purity of life. It is provided by God (Heb 13:21) and guided by His discipline (v. 10), but we must “strive for” it.”¹ “The vision of God our Saviour in heaven is reserved as the reward of holiness, and the stress of our salvation is laid upon our holiness, though a placid peaceable disposition contributes much to our meetness for heaven.”² “Holiness is clearly expected of all Christians (without which no one will see the Lord). This is not salvation by works, however, for Christians are sanctified once for all by the death of Christ (Heb. 10:14); holy living is a part of the perseverance encouraged throughout Hebrews.”³ “Christ’s sacrifice made His people holy (Heb 10:10, 14). Those sanctified belong to God (Heb 2:11) and, sharing in His discipline, will experience His holiness (v. 10).”⁴ “Personal holiness must be vigorously sought since without holiness (hagiasmos) no one will see the Lord. Since no sin can stand in God’s presence, Christians must—and will be—sinless when they see the Lord (cf. 1 John 3:2). That realization offers motivation for pursuing holiness here and now. But the author may also have had in mind the thought that one’s perception of God even now is conditioned by his real measure of holiness (cf. Matt. 5:8).”⁵

“While it may be of some relief to realize that ‘perfection’ in Hebrews does not mean moral perfection, which most Christians would find an impossible goal, for the author of Hebrews it certainly is related to holiness, which does bring moral virtue into view. Hebrews 10:14 speaks of those who Christ “has made perfect forever” (note the perfect tense) as “those who are being made holy” (note the present tense). For the author of Hebrews, these two categories, though distinct, must nevertheless be inseparable in the life of the Christian. Jesus did not offer himself as the final sacrifice so that people may give him a nod on Sunday and then continue to live in disobedience to God. Hebrews does not speak of the believer as ‘saved’ but as ‘being made holy.’ Salvation from judgment, which is assured, still stands in the future. The writer of Hebrews exhorts his readers to ‘throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles’ (Heb 12:1). It further expects those who have “been perfected” to “make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14, emphasis added). It speaks against adultery and all sexual immorality (Heb 12:16; 13:4). Like the other New Testament writers, the author of Hebrews encourages believers to love one another (Heb 13:1), to show hospitality to strangers (Heb 13:2), to be in solidarity with those believers in prison (Heb 13:3). Contentment free from a love of money is a mark of holiness (Heb 13:5), as is a willingness to follow faithful leaders in the church (Heb 13:7, 17). Verbal witness to our faith is a characteristic of those who have been “perfected” in Christ (Heb 13:15), accompanied by doing good and sharing with others (Heb 13:16). And finally, believing prayer for the circumstances of others marks those who are being made holy (Heb 13:18–19).”⁶

It is helpful to get a basic grasp of the biblical holiness of God. From there, an up-close look at what personal holiness is about and what it entails is of significant interest because it is essential in the life of a believer. While humanity can only attain a limited understanding of God’s holiness, we can recognize what He has revealed about Himself through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit through scripture. So, again, the following thematic outline sets up a context and an anchor by which to get started. How holiness is attained among believers through various means, personal attention, and circumstances are supported by numerous scriptural points of reference.

Synopsis

Believers are enabled to grow in holiness on account of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, foreshadowed by the OT sacrificial system, and through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Holiness begins with God’s initiative

God chooses who and what is to be holy

2 Ch 7:16

2 Chronicles 7:16 (ESV) — 16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.

See also Ex 20:11; Nu 16:7; 2 Ch 29:11; Zec 2:12

Exodus 20:11 (ESV) — 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Numbers 16:7 (ESV) — 7 put fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord tomorrow, and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!”

2 Chronicles 29:11 (ESV) — 11 My sons, do not now be negligent, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him.”

Zechariah 2:12 (ESV) — 12 And the Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.”

God chooses and calls his people to holiness

Dt 7:6; Eph 1:4

Deuteronomy 7:6 (ESV) — 6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Ephesians 1:4 (ESV) — 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

See also Dt 14:2; Ro 1:7; Col 3:12; 1 Pe 1:2; 1 Pe 1:15

Deuteronomy 14:2 (ESV) — 2 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Romans 1:7 (ESV) — 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:12 (ESV) — 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

1 Peter 1:2 (ESV) — 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

1 Peter 1:15 (ESV) — 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

Holiness is conferred by the holy God

Holiness is conferred by the presence of God

Ex 29:42–43

Exodus 29:42–43 (ESV) — 42 It shall be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there. 43 There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory.

See also Ex 3:4–5; Ex 19:23; 2 Ch 7:1–2

Exodus 3:4–5 (ESV) — 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Exodus 19:23 (ESV) — 23 And Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.’ ”

2 Chronicles 7:1–2 (ESV) — 1 As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house.

Holiness is conferred through covenant relationship with God

Ex 19:5–6

Exodus 19:5–6 (ESV) — 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

See also Dt 28:9; Eze 37:26–28; 1 Pe 2:9

Deuteronomy 28:9 (ESV) — 9 The Lord will establish you as a people holy to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in his ways.

Ezekiel 37:26–28 (ESV) — 26 I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. 27 My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) — 9 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.

Holiness is conferred by the sovereign action of God

1 Th 5:23

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV) — 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

See also Le 20:8; Is 4:3–4; Eze 36:25; Zep 1:7; Ac 15:9; Heb 2:11

Leviticus 20:8 (ESV) — 8 Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

Isaiah 4:3–4 (ESV) — 3 And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, 4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning.

Ezekiel 36:25 (ESV) — 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

Zephaniah 1:7 (ESV) — 7 Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.

Acts 15:9 (ESV) — 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.

Hebrews 2:11 (ESV) — 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

Holiness through the OT rituals

Cleansing from what is unclean

Nu 8:6–7

Numbers 8:6–7 (ESV) — 6 “Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them. 7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them go with a razor over all their body, and wash their clothes and cleanse themselves.

Purification and atonement through sacrifice

Nu 8:12–14 The OT sacrificial system and holiness laws foreshadow the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ that enables believers to grow in holiness through faith.

Numbers 8:12–14 (ESV) — 12 Then the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and you shall offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to the Lord to make atonement for the Levites. 13 And you shall set the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and shall offer them as a wave offering to the Lord. 14 “Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine.

See also Ex 29:35–37; Le 8:14–15; Le 16:5–10; Le 16:15–22; Le 16:29–30

Exodus 29:35–37 (ESV) — 35 “Thus you shall do to Aaron and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. Through seven days shall you ordain them, 36 and every day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. Also you shall purify the altar, when you make atonement for it, and shall anoint it to consecrate it. 37 Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it, and the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar shall become holy.

Leviticus 8:14–15 (ESV) — 14 Then he brought the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering. 15 And he killed it, and Moses took the blood, and with his finger put it on the horns of the altar around it and purified the altar and poured out the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it to make atonement for it.

Leviticus 16:5–10 (ESV) — 5 And he shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. 6 “Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house. 7 Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 8 And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel. 9 And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the Lord and use it as a sin offering, 10 but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel.

Leviticus 16:15–22 (ESV) — 15 “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. 16 Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses. 17 No one may be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his house and for all the assembly of Israel. 18 Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. 19 And he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleannesses of the people of Israel. 20 “And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall present the live goat. 21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. 22 The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:29–30 (ESV) — 29 “And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you. 30 For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins.

Consecration by anointing

Le 8:10–12

Leviticus 8:10–12 (ESV) — 10 Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. 11 And he sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils and the basin and its stand, to consecrate them. 12 And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.

Holiness through Jesus Christ

Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ

Heb 10:10

Hebrews 10:10 (ESV) — 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

See also Eph 5:25–27; Col 1:22; Heb 1:3; Heb 9:13–14; Heb 9:23–28; Heb 10:14; Heb 10:19–22; Heb 13:12; 1 Jn 1:7; 1 Jn 2:2; 1 Jn 4:10

Ephesians 5:25–27 (ESV) — 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Colossians 1:22 (ESV) — 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) — 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Hebrews 9:13–14 (ESV) — 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Hebrews 9:23–28 (ESV) — 23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 10:14 (ESV) — 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 10:19–22 (ESV) — 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 13:12 (ESV) — 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.

1 John 1:7 (ESV) — 7 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 cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 2:2 (ESV) — 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 4:10 (ESV) — 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Through relationship with Jesus Christ

1 Co 1:2

1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV) — 2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Holiness through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit

2 Th 2:13

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV) — 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

See also Jn 3:5–8; Ro 15:16; 1 Co 6:11; 1 Th 4:7–8; Tt 3:5; 1 Pe 1:2

John 3:5–8 (ESV) — 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Romans 15:16 (ESV) — 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV) — 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Thessalonians 4:7–8 (ESV) — 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Titus 3:5 (ESV) — 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

The human response to holiness

Repentance

1 Jn 1:9

1 John 1:9 (ESV) — 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

See also Ezr 9:1–7; Ezr 10:1–4; Ps 51:1–10; Ac 2:38; Ro 6:11–13; Jas 4:8

Ezra 9:1–7 (ESV) — 1 After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” 3 As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. 4 Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. 5 And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God, 6 saying: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. 7 From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt. And for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as it is today.

Ezra 10:1–4 (ESV) — 1 While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. 2 And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. 3 Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law. 4 Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.”

Psalm 51:1–10 (ESV) — 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Acts 2:38 (ESV) — 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:11–13 (ESV) — 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

James 4:8 (ESV) — 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Faith

Ga 5:5

Galatians 5:5 (ESV) — 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

Obedience

1 Pe 1:22

1 Peter 1:22 (ESV) — 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

See also Ps 119:9; Jn 17:17; Ro 6:16–19

Psalm 119:9 (ESV) — 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

John 17:17 (ESV) — 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Romans 6:16–19 (ESV) — 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

Citations

___________________________
1. R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 2219.
2. Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 2404.
3. Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2383.
4. John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Heb 12:14.
5. Zane C. Hodges, “Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 810.
6. Karen H. Jobes, Letters to the Church: A Survey of Hebrews and the General Epistles (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 126–127.

The Holiness of God

By on in Theology

In preparation for a time of in-depth study on sanctification, I intend to complete a series of posts about various readings and the gathering of research materials concerning the subject. The posts on biblical holiness will not be sequential as I have coursework about Pauline doctrines and theology running concurrent to this effort. The effort involves the Pursuit of Holiness by Bridges, Holiness by Ryle, the Philokalia, the Mortification of Sin by Owen (puritan), and the Doctrine of Repentance by Watson (puritan), including various other materials to a lesser extent. The purpose is to answer multiple questions about the who, what, where, when, how, and why of personal and collective holiness. Especially to involve historical figures within scripture, saints of tradition, and anyone who seeks after God and what He would have of His people. This effort shall have nothing to do with the subjective experiences of individuals or an appeal to personal rationale centered on social interests.

To begin, an inquiry about the biblical holiness of God is necessary. While humanity can only attain a limited understanding of God’s holiness, we can recognize what He has revealed about Himself through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit through scripture. The following thematic outline sets up a context and an anchor by which to get started.

Synopsis

The moral excellence of God that unifies his attributes and is expressed through his actions, setting Him apart from all others. Believers are called to be holy as God is holy.

God’s nature is holy

He is perfect

Dt 32:4; Is 6:3; Re 4:8

Deuteronomy 32:4 (ESV) — 4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

Isaiah 6:3 (ESV) — 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Revelation 4:8 (ESV) — 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

See also 2 Sa 22:31; Job 6:10; Ps 18:30; Ps 22:3; Ps 71:22; Ps 78:41; Is 41:14; Is 43:15; Hab 1:13; Jn 17:11; Re 6:10

2 Samuel 22:31 (ESV) — 31 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

Job 6:10 (ESV) — 10 This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

Psalm 18:30 (ESV) — 30 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 22:3 (ESV) — 3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

Psalm 71:22 (ESV) — 22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 78:41 (ESV) — 41 They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 41:14 (ESV) — 14 Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 43:15 (ESV) — 15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”

Habakkuk 1:13 (ESV) — 13 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?

John 17:11 (ESV) — 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

Revelation 6:10 (ESV) — 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

He is uniquely holy

1 Sa 2:2

1 Samuel 2:2 (ESV) — 2 “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

See also Ex 15:11; Ps 77:13; Is 40:25; Re 15:4

Exodus 15:11 (ESV) — 11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Psalm 77:13 (ESV) — 13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?

Isaiah 40:25 (ESV) — 25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.

Revelation 15:4 (ESV) — 4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

God’s name is holy

Eze 36:21–23

Ezekiel 36:21–23 (ESV) — 21 But I had concern for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they came. 22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.

See also Le 22:32; 1 Ch 16:35; 1 Ch 29:16; Ps 33:21; Ps 97:12; Is 57:15; Eze 39:25; Lk 1:49

Leviticus 22:32 (ESV) — 32 And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you,

1 Chronicles 16:35 (ESV) — 35 Say also: “Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

1 Chronicles 29:16 (ESV) — 16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.

Psalm 33:21 (ESV) — 21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.

Psalm 97:12 (ESV) — 12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

Isaiah 57:15 (ESV) — 15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Ezekiel 39:25 (ESV) — 25 “Therefore thus says the Lord God: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name.

Luke 1:49 (ESV) — 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

God’s dwelling-place is holy

Is 57:15 David’s palace was regarded as holy because of the presence of the ark

See also 2 Ch 8:11; 2 Ch 30:27; Ps 2:6; Ps 3:4; Ps 5:7; Ps 11:4; Ps 15:1; Ps 20:6; Ps 47:8; Ps 48:1; Ps 65:4; Is 63:15; Joe 3:17; Ob 16–17; Jon 2:4; Mic 1:2; Hab 2:20; Zec 2:13; Ac 21:28 The Jews accused Paul of defiling the temple area by bringing in Gentiles; Eph 2:21–22 the church as the dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit; Heb 10:19–22; Re 22:19

2 Chronicles 8:11 (ESV) — 11 Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the city of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, “My wife shall not live in the house of David king of Israel, for the places to which the ark of the Lord has come are holy.”

2 Chronicles 30:27 (ESV) — 27 Then the priests and the Levites arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to his holy habitation in heaven.

Psalm 2:6 (ESV) — 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

Psalm 3:4 (ESV) — 4 I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

Psalm 5:7 (ESV) — 7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.

Psalm 11:4 (ESV) — 4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

Psalm 15:1 (ESV) — 1 O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

Psalm 20:6 (ESV) — 6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.

Psalm 47:8 (ESV) — 8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.

Psalm 48:1 (ESV) — 1 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain,

Psalm 65:4 (ESV) — 4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

Isaiah 63:15 (ESV) — 15 Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me.

Joel 3:17 (ESV) — 17 “So you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it.

Obadiah 16–17 (ESV) — 16 For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so all the nations shall drink continually; they shall drink and swallow, and shall be as though they had never been. 17 But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions.

Jonah 2:4 (ESV) — 4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’

Micah 1:2 (ESV) — 2 Hear, you peoples, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord God be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.

Habakkuk 2:20 (ESV) — 20 But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”

Zechariah 2:13 (ESV) — 13 Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

Acts 21:28 (ESV) — 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”

Ephesians 2:21–22 (ESV) — 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Revelation 22:19 (ESV) — 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

God’s holiness is revealed in his righteous activity

Is 5:16

Isaiah 5:16 (ESV) — 16 But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.

See also Jdg 5:11; 1 Sa 12:7; Ps 77:13; Ps 145:17; Da 9:14; Da 9:16; Zep 3:5

Judges 5:11 (ESV) — 11 To the sound of musicians at the watering places, there they repeat the righteous triumphs of the Lord, the righteous triumphs of his villagers in Israel. “Then down to the gates marched the people of the Lord.

1 Samuel 12:7 (ESV) — 7 Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your fathers.

Psalm 77:13 (ESV) — 13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?

Psalm 145:17 (ESV) — 17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.

Daniel 9:14 (ESV) — 14 Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice.

Daniel 9:16 (ESV) — 16 “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us.

Zephaniah 3:5 (ESV) — 5 The Lord within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.

God’s holiness affects worship

It is celebrated in worship

Ps 99:5

Psalm 99:5 (ESV) — 5 Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!

See also 1 Ch 16:29; Ps 29:2; Ps 99:5; Ps 103:1; Ps 105:3; Ps 145:21; Is 6:3

1 Chronicles 16:29 (ESV) — 29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

Psalm 29:2 (ESV) — 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

Psalm 99:5 (ESV) — 5 Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!

Psalm 103:1 (ESV) — 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Psalm 105:3 (ESV) — 3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Psalm 145:21 (ESV) — 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Isaiah 6:3 (ESV) — 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Coming before a holy God requires preparation

Ex 3:5

Exodus 3:5 (ESV) — 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

See also Ex 29:37; Ps 24:3–4; 1 Co 11:28; Heb 10:1–2; Heb 10:22

Exodus 29:37 (ESV) — 37 Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it, and the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar shall become holy.

Psalm 24:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

1 Corinthians 11:28 (ESV) — 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Hebrews 10:1–2 (ESV) — 1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?

Hebrews 10:22 (ESV) — 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Special requirements and tasks are given to worship leaders

Le 21:7–8 the priests; Le 21:10–15 the high priest

Leviticus 21:7–8 (ESV) — 7 They shall not marry a prostitute or a woman who has been defiled, neither shall they marry a woman divorced from her husband, for the priest is holy to his God. 8 You shall sanctify him, for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you, for I, the Lord, who sanctify you, am holy.

Leviticus 21:10–15 (ESV) — 10 “The priest who is chief among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil is poured and who has been consecrated to wear the garments, shall not let the hair of his head hang loose nor tear his clothes. 11 He shall not go in to any dead bodies nor make himself unclean, even for his father or for his mother. 12 He shall not go out of the sanctuary, lest he profane the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him: I am the Lord. 13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity. 14 A widow, or a divorced woman, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry. But he shall take as his wife a virgin of his own people, 15 that he may not profane his offspring among his people, for I am the Lord who sanctifies him.”

Aaron and his family:

Ex 28:1–43; Le 21:16–23

Exodus 28:1–43 (ESV) — 1 “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3 You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him for my priesthood. 4 These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests. 5 They shall receive gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. 6 “And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked. 7 It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. 8 And the skillfully woven band on it shall be made like it and be of one piece with it, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. 9 You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, 10 six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. 11 As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree. 12 And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance. 13 You shall make settings of gold filigree, 14 and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings. 15 “You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. In the style of the ephod you shall make it—of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen shall you make it. 16 It shall be square and doubled, a span its length and a span its breadth. 17 You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; 18 and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree. 21 There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes. 22 You shall make for the breastpiece twisted chains like cords, of pure gold. 23 And you shall make for the breastpiece two rings of gold, and put the two rings on the two edges of the breastpiece. 24 And you shall put the two cords of gold in the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece. 25 The two ends of the two cords you shall attach to the two settings of filigree, and so attach it in front to the shoulder pieces of the ephod. 26 You shall make two rings of gold, and put them at the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod. 27 And you shall make two rings of gold, and attach them in front to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, at its seam above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 28 And they shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it may lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod. 29 So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord. 30 And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the Lord. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly. 31 “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a garment, so that it may not tear. 33 On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them, 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. 35 And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he does not die. 36 “You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ 37 And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. 38 It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. 39 “You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash embroidered with needlework. 40 “For Aaron’s sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. 41 And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. 42 You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; 43 and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.

Leviticus 21:16–23 (ESV) — 16 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 17 “Speak to Aaron, saying, None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God. 18 For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, a man blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, 19 or a man who has an injured foot or an injured hand, 20 or a hunchback or a dwarf or a man with a defect in his sight or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles. 21 No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a blemish shall come near to offer the Lord’s food offerings; since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. 22 He may eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy and of the holy things, 23 but he shall not go through the veil or approach the altar, because he has a blemish, that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am the Lord who sanctifies them.”

2 Ch 29:5 the Levites

2 Chronicles 29:5 (ESV) — 5 and said to them, “Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place.

God’s holiness is to be seen in his people

God’s people are to be holy because he is holy

Le 19:2; 2 Ti 1:9

Leviticus 19:2 (ESV) — 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV) — 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

See also Ex 19:6; Ex 22:31; Le 11:44; Mt 5:48; Ro 12:1; 1 Co 1:2; 2 Co 11:2 the church is to be pure as the bride of Jesus Christ; Eph 1:4; Eph 5:3; Php 4:8; Col 1:22; Col 3:12; 1 Th 3:13; 1 Th 4:3–7; Tt 1:8 a qualification for an elder; Heb 2:11; Heb 3:1; Heb 12:10; 1 Pe 1:15–16

Exodus 19:6 (ESV) — 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

Exodus 22:31 (ESV) — 31 “You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

Leviticus 11:44 (ESV) — 44 For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground.

Matthew 5:48 (ESV) — 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Romans 12:1 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

2 Corinthians 11:2 (ESV) — 2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

Ephesians 1:4 (ESV) — 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

Ephesians 5:3 (ESV) — 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Philippians 4:8 (ESV) — 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Colossians 1:22 (ESV) — 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

Colossians 3:12 (ESV) — 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

1 Thessalonians 3:13 (ESV) — 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 4:3–7 (ESV) — 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

Titus 1:8 (ESV) — 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

Hebrews 2:11 (ESV) — 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

Hebrews 3:1 (ESV) — 1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,

Hebrews 12:10 (ESV) — 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

1 Peter 1:15–16 (ESV) — 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Becoming holy involves striving after God

2 Pe 3:14

2 Peter 3:14 (ESV) — 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

See also 2 Co 7:1; 2 Co 13:11; Eph 4:22–24; 1 Ti 5:22; Heb 12:14; Jas 1:20–21; 2 Pe 3:11–12

2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV) — 1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV) — 11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Ephesians 4:22–24 (ESV) — 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

1 Timothy 5:22 (ESV) — 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

Hebrews 12:14 (ESV) — 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

James 1:20–21 (ESV) — 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

2 Peter 3:11–12 (ESV) — 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

The holiness of believers originates from God

Ex 31:13

Exodus 31:13 (ESV) — 13 “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you.

See also Le 22:9; Dt 28:9; Ps 4:3; 1 Jn 3:1–3

Leviticus 22:9 (ESV) — 9 They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it and die thereby when they profane it: I am the Lord who sanctifies them.

Deuteronomy 28:9 (ESV) — 9 The Lord will establish you as a people holy to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in his ways.

Psalm 4:3 (ESV) — 3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.

1 John 3:1–3 (ESV) — 1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 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. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Jesus Christ purifies Christian believers

1 Jn 1:7

1 John 1:7 (ESV) — 7 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 cleanses us from all sin.

See also Heb 7:26–28; Heb 9:26–28; Heb 10:10; Heb 10:14; 1 Jn 3:4–6

Hebrews 7:26–28 (ESV) — 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Hebrews 9:26–28 (ESV) — 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 10:10 (ESV) — 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:14 (ESV) — 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

1 John 3:4–6 (ESV) — 4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

God’s holiness makes sin objectionable to him

Hab 1:13

God’s holiness necessitates dependence upon him for forgiveness

Ps 51:1–17

Psalm 51:1–17 (ESV) — 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.