Introduction
Many attributes can be ascribed to God. He is faithful, good, loving, beautiful, righteous, and worthy of worship. In a limited sense, many of these same attributes can also be seen in mankind. People can demonstrate faithfulness, goodness, love, and even reflect something of God’s beauty and righteousness through His grace.
Yet there is one attribute that belongs to God in a way that transcends all others: He is Holy.
It is often said that only God is good. While this is ultimately true, Scripture does at times describe men and women as good according to human standards or through the work of God within them. Holiness, however, stands apart. Any holiness attributed to mankind is derived, limited, and dependent upon God’s sanctifying work. God’s holiness, by contrast, is intrinsic, infinite, and absolute. He alone is holy in His essence.
His holiness is so magnificent that the Seraphim surrounding His throne never cease to proclaim, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:3). Likewise, in heaven the living creatures continually cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). This threefold declaration is never directed toward man. Nor will it be directed to man when we are in heaven. It is reserved for God alone.
When believers approach Him in worship, we join that heavenly chorus, declaring, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” It is a cry of awe, reverence, adoration, and surrender. It acknowledges that God is utterly set apart from all creation, exalted above all things, and worthy of all honor and praise. No man, no angel, and no created being can claim such glory. Holiness belongs to God alone, and it is because of His holiness that He alone is worthy of our worship.
“Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11 ESV
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.”
Psalms 29:2 ESV
We Are Called to Holiness
Through the renewing of our minds, we are called to pursue holiness. This holiness is not something we manufacture through our own strength, nor is it the means by which we are saved. Salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet having been saved, we are called into a life of sanctification—a continual work of God within us as we walk in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we yield ourselves to Him, He conforms us more and more to the image of Christ, producing in us the holiness He desires.
“But 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 1:15-16)
“For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7)
This final verse points toward the culmination of our salvation—the day when the sanctifying work of God is brought to completion and we stand before Him prepared for glorification.
The Scriptures teach that God’s work of transformation ultimately encompasses the whole person. Mind, heart, soul, and body are all being prepared for His eternal purpose. Whether we are alive at the return of Christ or have already departed this life, the promise remains the same: we shall all be changed. The imperfections of this fallen existence will give way to the perfection of His presence. We will know fully, even as we are fully known.
Then, standing before His throne in glorified bodies, every trace of sin removed and every work of sanctification completed, we will join the heavenly chorus and proclaim with everlasting wonder:
“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.”
In that moment, holiness will no longer be our pursuit—it will be our eternal reality in the presence of the Holy One Himself. However, this call – these words, will never be directed toward man but only to God Himself.
Holiness Is an Impartation
Holiness is imparted to us by God Himself. Like salvation, it cannot be earned, achieved, or attained through human effort. No amount of striving, discipline, or devotion can produce true holiness apart from Him. It is not the result of how much we love God, but the result of how much God loves us. Holiness is His gift—His own nature being formed within us by His grace.
Just as an earthly father desires to see his character reflected in his children, our Heavenly Father desires to conform us to His image. We are His children, and His purpose is not merely to improve us, but to transform us into the likeness of His Son.
We may ask, “How do we get there?” The truth is that we do not get there by our own strength—God places us there. Holiness is not a destination we reach; it is a work God performs within us. As we yield ourselves to Him and walk in obedience, His holy nature increasingly manifests through our lives.
This was evident in the patriarchs and saints of Scripture. God’s presence upon them became visible through their lives, their faith, and their obedience. In the same way, the glory of God begins to shine through those who walk closely with Him. People recognize something different—something they cannot fully explain. They see the peace, purity, wisdom, and power of Christ reflected in a life surrendered to God, and many are drawn to desire that same reality for themselves.
Perhaps this is one of the greatest testimonies a believer can offer to the world: not merely speaking about Christ, but allowing others to see the holiness of Christ revealed through them.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” — Ephesians 5:1 (ESV)
How the World Sees Holiness in Us.
The world often misunderstands holiness in the life of a Christian. Instead of seeing Christ reflected in us, many see someone who is “holier than thou”—a person who appears morally superior, self-righteous, judgmental, or legalistic. Sadly, this perception is sometimes reinforced by those within organized religion who elevate rules above grace and tradition above truth. Such attitudes are not the fruit of genuine Christianity but of pride disguised as piety as with the Pharisees.
Biblical holiness is something altogether different. It is not self-exaltation but Christ-exaltation. It is not a claim to sinless perfection but a life that is continually being transformed into the likeness of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Holiness is marked by humility, obedience, repentance, and love.
The world should not see believers as self-appointed judges, nor as people who excuse or tolerate sin under the banner of a shallow, sentimental grace. Rather, they should see men and women who speak the truth about Christ, sin, repentance, and salvation with both conviction and compassion. We are called to stand firmly upon God’s truth while extending His mercy to those who are willing to receive it.
This balance cannot be achieved through human wisdom or personal effort. Only the indwelling Holy Spirit can enable us to speak truth without arrogance, confront sin without condemnation, and love others without compromising the Gospel. When Christ is truly formed within us, holiness becomes less about what we proclaim about ourselves and more about what others witness in the character of Christ shining through our lives.
It’s Your Heart
Ultimately, the pursuit of holiness is a matter of the heart. The question is not merely what do we do? but where is our heart?
Scripture describes King David as a man after God’s own heart. Likewise, King Asa is remembered as a righteous king who did what was right in the sight of the Lord. Although he failed to remove all the high places, God’s Word still declares, “…the heart of Asa was wholly true all his days.” (2 Chronicles 15:17, ESV).
When God calls us to holiness, He is calling to the very center of our being. It is a call to the heart. True holiness is not merely outward behavior, intellectual agreement, or religious performance. It flows from a heart that has been surrendered to God. The spirit within us communes with the Spirit of God, but it is the heart that becomes the dwelling place of devotion, obedience, reverence, and love.
Holiness cannot flourish where the heart is divided. God is not seeking outward perfection as much as wholehearted devotion. Our lives must be centered on Him, our desires aligned with His will, and our hearts continually surrendered to His authority.
When trials arise, as they did for King Asa in the Old Testament, our first response should be prayer. We should seek God before the battle, depend on Him throughout the struggle, and thank Him when the victory has been won. Yet prosperity often presents an even greater danger than adversity. When life is comfortable and blessings abound, we can slowly and almost imperceptibly drift from our dependence upon God. We begin to enjoy His gifts while neglecting the Giver.
This should lead each of us to ask an honest question: Is my heart wholly true to God in every season—during both hardship and abundance? Is my love for Him constant, or does it rise and fall with my circumstances?
God’s faithfulness toward us never wavers. He remains steadfast through every trial, every failure, and every blessing. Should our devotion to Him be any less steadfast? True holiness is not measured by flawless performance but by a heart that continually turns toward God in love, humility, repentance, and obedience. So we must ask ourselves again: Where is our heart?
“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 3:13)
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21 (ESV)
Conclusion
Holiness is a vast and profound subject. It is not an easy study because to understand holiness we must allow the light of God’s truth to penetrate the deepest places of our hearts. We are compelled to confront our sinful nature, our hidden motives, our ingrained habits, and the secret sins we would rather leave undisturbed. Through repentance and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, these things must be put away and never embraced again.
Changing outward behavior is often difficult enough, but allowing God to transform the inner life—the thoughts of the mind, the attitudes of the heart, and even the careless words that escape our lips—is an even greater challenge. In moments of weakness, our old defense mechanisms often reappear, and the flesh attempts to reclaim what belongs to Christ. Yet God is not merely interested in changing our actions; He is transforming our very nature. This inward work is accomplished only through faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within every believer.
One of the most awe-inspiring truths in all of Scripture is that we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. God no longer dwells in a tabernacle in the wilderness or in the Temple in Jerusalem. He has chosen to make His dwelling within those whom He has redeemed. This truth is almost beyond comprehension. The Creator of heaven and earth has made His home within His people. If we truly grasped that reality, it would forever change the way we think, speak, and live.
Because God is holy, those in whom He dwells are called to pursue holiness. Although we will not experience sinless perfection until we stand in His presence, we are commanded to yield ourselves daily to His sanctifying work. As we walk in obedience, He continues to conform us to the image of His Son. The day is coming when our sanctification will be complete, and we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is. Then the holiness we now pursue by faith will be perfected in His glorious presence.
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but 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 1:14–16 (ESV)
Enough Said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
