Holiness

C

Cosmicwaffle

How exactly would you define Holy?

It is my belief that to be Holy is to be like God. Sin is when we don't act like God or with the goodness and love of him. Through Christ God's image is fully restored in us, and through the spirit we are to walk and live in a way that God would walk.

People who do not have Christ do not walk in the way they were created to walk. The mirror is broken so to speak.

But how do you define Holiness? What is considered Holy, what is not?
 
Don't go looking for a list of dos and don'ts because it doesn't exist except for the legalists. Holiness is:

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

Holiness is apartness, sacredness, separateness.

Titus 2:14 (KJV)
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Peculiar is being beyond usual, i.e. special (one's own). In the verse below it means a sacred thing.

1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Basically, DO the opposite of the world. If the world has a garage sale to make money, have a garage free! Give it away. Washing your car, wash your neighbors. Someone asks for a buck, give him $10! This is holiness. Visiting the widow caring for the fatherless. This is holiness.
 
IMO, the best practical definition of 'holy' using today's language would be absolute integrity. I like to think of it as 'No compromise'.

God is holy, meaning He will not compromise His character in any way. He will not ignore sin, for example - which is why Jesus had to die. Holiness describes the extent of God's other character attributes.

God's people are to be holy in two related senses: positionally and practically. The positional sense is where God declares us holy. By this He intends that we live practically in a holy (uncompromised) manner.

The Old Testament temple and associated articles were not only set apart to the worship of God, but they were to be used in specific ways. There was to be no compromise of temple items, meaning no using them for common purposes, and no using them in ways not prescribed in the Law.
 
Cosmicwaffle said:
How exactly would you define Holy?

It is my belief that to be Holy is to be like God. Sin is when we don't act like God or with the goodness and love of him. Through Christ God's image is fully restored in us, and through the spirit we are to walk and live in a way that God would walk.

People who do not have Christ do not walk in the way they were created to walk. The mirror is broken so to speak.

But how do you define Holiness? What is considered Holy, what is not?
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lev 11...not render yourselves detestable through any of the swarming things that swarm; and you shall not make yourselves unclean with them so that you become unclean. 44'For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. 45'For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.'"…
1 peter 1....As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."…

The command to be Holy was given to the Jews by God and given to us as in 1peter.
Awareness of what is holy and what is not I think is a developed sense.
smoking is not holy,
gambling, porn, stealing, etc etc etc
and little things like: should I read the stars? can I live with my girlfriend? is swearing okay?
and as you become more holy you get deeper because you have to deal with pride, oh i'm so holy, i'm better than them or that,
In a sense becoming a Christian leads us to get in tune with the Holy Spirit
and He leads us to get in tune with what is pleasing to God,
but laws are not to be understood outside of the context of love, either God loving us and saying if you do that it won't hurt right now
but eventually it will. or we loving others so we don't hurt them.
 
What a wonderful thread for you to present my new friend Cosmicwaffle. I love holiness, and after a little over four decades of following my Master, currently I am studying the realm of holiness. If there is anything that this old Country Preacher needs, it's holiness! Currently, I'm studying the book, "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. So far it's really informative.

For my Wife, the concept of holiness seems old fashioned as I listen to my wife who almost grew up in a very legalistic cult that was run by a woman who didn't have her theology straight, long hair, long dresses, black stockings etc. etc. For me, holiness is very much a Scriptural mandate. According to Brother Bridges, the word Holy in various forms occurs more than 600 times in the Bible.

I have studied the Book of Leviticus to find out what God expects when He says "be holy." This statement by Bridges speaks about our "heart" the seat of holiness. "The mind as it reasons, discerns, and judges, the emotions as they like or dislike: the conscience as it determines and warns, and the will as it chooses or refuses - are all together called the heart.

I think he is saying that our heart, mind, and conscience are so important to discern what is holy and what is not and presents to us a choice.

Anyway, this is a thread that should bring some interesting views on holiness. It's the cement that keeps us stuck to doing good and pleasing the God Who says, "be holy as I Am holy."
 
HOLINESS: Perhaps my favorite subject....A.W.Tozer, "Whatever else the professing Christian Church may be known for today - great crowds, expensive buildings, big budgets, political clout - it's not distinguished for its holiness. Eight times in Scripture, God said to His people, "Be holy, for I AM holy."

D.L. Moody once said, "Give me 7 men who are filled with the Holy Spirit and are holy, we will turn this world upside down." The sad truth? He never found those men!

Pastors, for the most part, are not preaching and teaching holiness from their pulpits other than a few Sundays. Like repentance for Salvation, and discipleship, holiness should be the theme of any church body. I believe that the Holy Spirit power would be seen and felt on a continual basis.

The first step in producing a Church that Christ Jesus would call His Church would have a Pastor who himself was holy, and preach holiness until the hypocrites (definition, Actors) either left that church and the remaining ones would repent of living like the world, and live a life pleasing to the Master Owner of His Church. Just maybe, D.L. Moody's hope would come to pass.
 
HOLINESS: Again I say, this is perhaps the most important attribute that a Christian can strive for. So much sin and worldliness can be avoided by a constant focus in our daily lives on to be holy like God, Who, demonstrated how it must be done by the life of His Son, Christ Jesus.

Sometimes, it's beneficial to look at what makes up an unholy man. The following is a short list that comes to my mind.
1. Unholy men don't study the Scriptures every day. Every man who loves God, must love His Word as a reminder daily how to live godly in Christ Jesus.

2. Unholy men are invisible at home and at work. Someone has said, "God is not pleased with a secret service Christian." I have discovered that when a Husband lives up to 25 & 26, great things happen in the home.
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."
That alone can inject into the fabric of that Christian home, examples to the children, relatives and friends that somehow by God's power, it shapes their own thinking and practices, even for future generations.

EXAMPLE: My Daughter is 55 years old. She "home schooled" her five children. Her Husband lives up to the Ephesians quote. As a result, their children, Douglas, Nichole, David, Hannah, and Lydia are really model Christian young people. Three of them are contemplating marriage. I say all of this, not only to brag on my kids and their kids;) but also to point out how important the husbands role in the home to be holy and to love his wife with genuine application is! Hey folks, it works!!

3. Unholy men allow their Wives and Daughters to go out in public dressed immodestly....Worst of all, they dress like that at church. I have witnessed that to many times.

4. Unholy men look lustfully at other women, even in church. Recently, a Deacon in the church that I used to attend, fell into lust for the Pastor's Wife. In my opinion, she did not dress modestly. That's no excuse for the Deacon, I'm just pointing this out as an example.

5. Unholy men are not teaching holiness in their homes. How can they? Their not holy themselves....Dr. Ed Hindson, Professor at Liberty Baptist University in Virginia once said, "Men, it you don't live a godly life before your children, when they go out on a date, your caution to them to "be careful" will cause them to laugh all the way to the car." (something like that)

May God's Grace and Peace be with all who read this.
 
To be Holy is to be separate from this world, and all of its desires, and lusts. Once a man becomes "born again" the process of sanctification, begins which means, "to make Holy". God the Father along with the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit begin this process of "cutting away the cords that have bound us to this world" God is Holy, and that is one of his names, "his name is Holy..."(Luke 1:49) Where ever God is is Holy, even the ground in which God stands or rests, so his temple must Holy which is what we are. Each and every part of men must be Holy, spirit, soul, and body. What benefit is gained by being Holy?

1Ti 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Godliness, which is being Holy is profitable unto ALL things. Bodily exercise profits the body a little, but holiness is profitable not only for staying healthy, and giving long life, but it also profits us in the life we are living now, and that which is to come!!!
Holiness allows us to get all things the Lord has already given us through promises It allows use to experience today the world that is to come.

Those who are Holy
Speak a different langue than the world.
They sees things the world can not see.
They hear things the world can not hear.
They feel things the world can not feel.
They taste things that are not of this world.
For they are not of this world!!!
 
CCW95A said:
To be Holy is to be separate from this world, and all of its desires, and lusts. Once a man becomes "born again" the process of sanctification, begins which means, "to make Holy". God the Father along with the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit begin this process of "cutting away the cords that have bound us to this world" God is Holy, and that is one of his names, "his name is Holy..."(Luke 1:49) Where ever God is is Holy, even the ground in which God stands or rests, so his temple must Holy which is what we are. Each and every part of men must be Holy, spirit, soul, and body. What benefit is gained by being Holy?

1Ti 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Godliness, which is being Holy is profitable unto ALL things. Bodily exercise profits the body a little, but holiness is profitable not only for staying healthy, and giving long life, but it also profits us in the life we are living now, and that which is to come!!!
Holiness allows us to get all things the Lord has already given us through promises It allows use to experience today the world that is to come.

Those who are Holy
Speak a different langue than the world.
They sees things the world can not see.
They hear things the world can not hear.
They feel things the world can not feel.
They taste things that are not of this world.
For they are not of this world!!!
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Oh my goodness CCW95A I absolutely love your reply. You are so scriptural. I love a man of the Word. It's like, when you present me with a Word from the Scriptures, you present me with a very valuable gift from the Almighty God. You are a special friend of whom I honor and respect, because of the love that is obvious to me, of your love for the same Lord that I love with all my heart.

Thank you!
 
Chopper said:
Oh my goodness CCW95A I absolutely love your reply. You are so scriptural. I love a man of the Word. It's like, when you present me with a Word from the Scriptures, you present me with a very valuable gift from the Almighty God. You are a special friend of whom I honor and respect, because of the love that is obvious to me, of your love for the same Lord that I love with all my heart.

Thank you!
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Brother you are much to kind in your words, thank you, the Lord is good to us all.
 
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Cosmicwaffle said:
How exactly would you define Holy?

It is my belief that to be Holy is to be like God. Sin is when we don't act like God or with the goodness and love of him. Through Christ God's image is fully restored in us, and through the spirit we are to walk and live in a way that God would walk.

People who do not have Christ do not walk in the way they were created to walk. The mirror is broken so to speak.

But how do you define Holiness? What is considered Holy, what is not?
Click to expand...


For me ity is quite simple. Be conformed unto the image of God. Renew my entire being with His written word which includes, living it and speaking it and allowing it to prefect me each and every day unto the likeness of Christ. Then I too shall be a light shining brightly of Christ and Gods love in this world.
 
There are two aspects of holiness, which can be worded as positional and practical.

Positional holiness comes from being separated to (i.e. solely devoted unto) God. To make holy in this way is to sanctify. It happens at a single point in time, and once it happens, there is nothing that can take that status away, because it implies God now owns you ("a people for a possession"). This is the sense in Deuteronomy 7:6 when God said Israel was His holy people. It is also seen in Isaiah 62:12 where God redeems (i.e. buys back) His people.

Practical holiness is positional holiness being worked out in day-to-day life. While Israel was positionally holy, they lived like they were not, following in the practices of the nations around them. We have also been set apart to God, but it takes time to become holy in a practical way. The process of becoming holy in heart, mind, and actions is called sanctification (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

The opposite of holy is common (profane or vulgar are synonyms). We are a holy people (1 Peter 2:9), but we are not to live the common life of the world around us. We are to live only to please God (1 Peter 1:13-16).
 
Fadingman said:
There are two aspects of holiness, which can be worded as positional and practical.

Positional holiness comes from being separated to (i.e. solely devoted unto) God. To make holy in this way is to sanctify. It happens at a single point in time, and once it happens, there is nothing that can take that status away, because it implies God now owns you ("a people for a possession"). This is the sense in Deuteronomy 7:6 when God said Israel was His holy people. It is also seen in Isaiah 62:12 where God redeems (i.e. buys back) His people.

Practical holiness is positional holiness being worked out in day-to-day life. While Israel was positionally holy, they lived like they were not, following in the practices of the nations around them. We have also been set apart to God, but it takes time to become holy in a practical way. The process of becoming holy in heart, mind, and actions is called sanctification (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

The opposite of holy is common (profane or vulgar are synonyms). We are a holy people (1 Peter 2:9), but we are not to live the common life of the world around us. We are to live only to please God (1 Peter 1:13-16).
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Thank you Fadingman for the reminder of positional and practical holiness. You hit a home run with that teaching.
 
I once read this illustration of what positional holiness means. I can't remember where I got it from...

A college intern who attended my church in Texas once preached and gave a humorous but insightful analogy for what it means to be holy:

Holy, as you may be aware, means to be set apart. In most biblical contexts, this means to be set apart for exclusive use by God. There are two items that we all own that are "holy" to us, that is, set apart for exclusive use by us. That is our toothbrushes and our underwear. You wouldn't want your underwear to volunteer to be worn by someone else, yet we who call ourselves Christian will allow someone else besides God to wear us. We wouldn't want our toothbrush to be used by someone else to scrub a toilet, but some of us allow ourselves to be involved with all sorts of filth.

So, be God's toothbrush, or his underwear. Be holy!​

This shows the practical holiness that is a result of positional holiness.
 
Fadingman said:
I once read this illustration of what positional holiness means. I can't remember where I got it from...

A college intern who attended my church in Texas once preached and gave a humorous but insightful analogy for what it means to be holy:

Holy, as you may be aware, means to be set apart. In most biblical contexts, this means to be set apart for exclusive use by God. There are two items that we all own that are "holy" to us, that is, set apart for exclusive use by us. That is our toothbrushes and our underwear. You wouldn't want your underwear to volunteer to be worn by someone else, yet we who call ourselves Christian will allow someone else besides God to wear us. We wouldn't want our toothbrush to be used by someone else to scrub a toilet, but some of us allow ourselves to be involved with all sorts of filth.

So, be God's toothbrush, or his underwear. Be holy!​

This shows the practical holiness that is a result of positional holiness.
Click to expand...

Very good my friend. I like that very much.
 
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