Holy Here: Be Holy

God’s Holiness: “He is utterly , entirely from everything and everyone else.”

Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”

“No man can be holy until he knows God. No man can know God and not be holy.” -E.M. Bounds

This fear isn’t about but a profound that recognizes God’s holiness—His perfect, unblemished, and set-apart nature.

Isaiah 6:3 echoes this, where the seraphim cry out,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”

The fear of the Lord us into a life that honors God’s holiness, transforming our hearts and us with His righteous ways.

1 Peter 1:16
“Be holy, because I am holy”

HIS HOLINESS, OUR ?

HIS HOLINESS, OUR STANDARD?
WHAT?

…holiness is not just for the spiritual elite; it’s a for every believer.

Hebrews 12:14
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

Holiness is Our

4 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 2 For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 4:1-2)

“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”
(1 Peter 1:15-16)

One piece at a time.
(viewing the whole in terms of the individual parts.)

Holiness means…

• God’s character
• Living to please God

What would Jesus say?

You have heard it said, “As long as you’re better than most people, you’re doing enough.”
But Jesus says to us: “Be holy, for I am holy.”

• Are there areas in your life where you’ve settled for being “good enough” instead of striving for holiness?

• How can you shift your focus from comparing yourself to others to aligning yourself with God’s standard?

 

Holiness Purity

3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— 5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. (1 Thessalonians 4:3b-5)

Holiness means saying “no” to sin and “yes” to God’s best.

Holiness means…

• Setting
• Living Differently

What would Jesus say?

You have heard it said, “It’s normal to indulge in what feels good, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.”
But Jesus says to you: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

• In what ways have you allowed the world’s standards to define what is acceptable in your life?

• What changes can you make to pursue purity and honor God in your actions, thoughts, and relationships?

Holiness Honors Others

6 and that [in this matter of sexual misconduct] no man shall transgress and defraud his brother because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we have told you before and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private].
(1 Thessalonians 4:6-7)

Holiness…

• Relationships
• Brings

What would Jesus say?

You have heard it said, “As long as you get what you want, it doesn’t matter how it affects others.”
But Jesus says to you: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

• Are there ways in which your actions, words, or attitudes have disregarded the well-being or dignity of others?

• How can you begin to honor those around you as God calls you to?

Holiness is Empowered by the Holy Spirit

8 So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation]. (1 Thessalonians 4:8)

We’re not called to be holy by our own strength.

Holiness…

• Is about surrender.
• Flows from our relationship to God.

What would Jesus say?

You have heard it said, “Holiness is impossible; it’s too hard, and nobody’s perfect.”
But Jesus says to you: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

• Have you been relying on your own strength to pursue holiness, or are you allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your life?

• What would it look like for you to fully surrender to God’s work in your life?

To “be holy as I am holy” means God’s character, being set apart for His purpose, pursuing purity, and honoring others—all by the Holy Spirit.

 

Romans 12:1-2
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

DAILY PRAYER:

HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD

Heavenly Father, I come before You today, seeking to be set apart for Your glory. Your Word says, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy'” (1 Peter 1:15-16). Lord, help me to walk in Your holiness today, reflecting Your character in every thought, word, and action.

I ask that You search my heart and cleanse me from anything that does not honor You, as David prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Teach me to love what is righteous and to turn away from anything that leads me astray, for Your Word declares, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).

Holy Spirit, guide me into all truth and empower me to live a life worthy of the calling I have received. Help me to “present [my] body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is [my] true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). Let Your Word be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, keeping me on the narrow way that leads to life (Psalm 119:105).

Father, I pray that I will be strengthened by Your grace to resist temptation and to stand firm in my faith. Remind me that “without holiness, no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14), and let my life be a testimony of Your transforming power. I declare that I am set apart for Your purposes, and I choose to walk in holiness today and every day. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.