1065 God, holiness of

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; Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8 See also 2Sa 22:31; Job 6:10; Ps 18:30; Ps 22:3; Ps 71:22; Ps 78:41; Isa 41:14; Isa 43:15; Hab 1:13; Jn 17:11; Rev 6:10

He is uniquely holy 1Sa 2:2 See also Ex 15:11; Ps 77:13; Isa 40:25; Rev 15:4

God’s name is holy

Eze 36:21-23 See also Lev 22:32; 1Ch 16:35; 1Ch 29:16; Ps 33:21; Ps 97:12; Isa 57:15; Eze 39:25; Lk 1:49

God’s dwelling-place is holy

Isa 57:15 David’s palace was regarded as holy because of the presence of the ark See also 2Ch 8:11; 2Ch 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; Isa 63:15; Joel 3:17; Ob 16-17; Jnh 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; Rev 22:19

God’s holiness is revealed in his righteous activity

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

God’s holiness affects worship

It is celebrated in worship Ps 99:5 See also 1Ch 16:29; Ps 29:2; Ps 99:5; Ps 103:1; Ps 105:3; Ps 145:21; Isa 6:3

Coming before a holy God requires preparation Ex 3:5 See also Ex 29:37; Ps 24:3-4; 1Co 11:28; Heb 10:1-2,22

Special requirements and tasks are given to worship leaders Lev 21:7-8 the priests; Lev 21:10-15 the high priest Aaron and his family: Ex 28:1-43; Lev 21:16-23
2Ch 29:5 the Levites

God’s holiness is to be seen in his people

God’s people are to be holy because he is holy Lev 19:2; 2Ti 1:9 See also Ex 19:6; Ex 22:31; Lev 11:44; Mt 5:48; Ro 12:1; 1Co 1:2; 2Co 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; 1Th 3:13; 1Th 4:3-7; Tit 1:8 a qualification for an elder; Heb 2:11; Heb 3:1; Heb 12:10; 1Pe 1:15-16

Becoming holy involves striving after God 2Pe 3:14 See also 2Co 7:1; 2Co 13:11; Eph 4:22-24; 1Ti 5:22; Heb 12:14; Jas 1:20-21; 2Pe 3:11-12

The holiness of believers originates from God Ex 31:13 See also Lev 22:9; Dt 28:9; Ps 4:3; 1Jn 3:1-3

Jesus Christ purifies Christian believers 1Jn 1:7 See also Heb 7:26-28; Heb 9:26-28; Heb 10:10,14; 1Jn 3:4-6

God’s holiness makes sin objectionable to him

Hab 1:13 See also Jos 24:19-20; Jer 50:29

God’s holiness necessitates dependence upon him for forgiveness

Ps 51:1-17 See also Da 9:4-19; 1Jn 1:9

See also