What’s In A Word?
Have you ever heard a word or phrase so often that either the words lost their meaning or that it has been used incorrectly for so long that you never stop to think about what is actually being said. For example, 'love'. Are you talking about your spouse, children, family members, friends, your favorite team or your favorite food?! The definition changes based on context.
'Holy' is another word that I know I have heard said and read so often in the Bible that I have not stopped to consider what it truly means. The word 'holy' is synonymous with God. The Webster's Dictionary from 1828 says that 'holy' signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character. We as people are called holy when it is evident that we are demonstrating characteristics that come from God.
'Holy' also can mean to be consecrated or set apart to a sacred use, or to the service or worship of God. We see this in the Bible as God designates days, places and people to be holy. Think about it. God, the origin of holiness, choosing people to be holy as He is holy. How can this be?
Are you someone that has lived a perfect, sinless life? No, neither have I. God knows us better than ourselves and yet wants us to be holy. In order to make us holy, He provides Christ Jesus to atone for our sins and places in us the Holy Spirit to help transform us into His holiness. Praise the Lord! He provides for us only as He can.
GOD IS HOLY
God's perfection is all of Who He is beyond our comprehension. God is without flaw and even the most atomic level of imperfection can not be in His presence without a covering of His grace and mercy. God's holy radiance penetrates the darkness and produces all that is good and righteous.
Holiness only comes from God. God calls us and transforms us to be holy as He is holy. God's desire and love for us is demonstrated in Christ Jesus. Praise God for His holiness and that He will forever be HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!
Revelation 4:8 NIV
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come."
1 Peter 1:13-15 NIV
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I AM holy."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Leviticus 20:26 NIV
You are to be holy to Me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.
