LESSON 29 BE YE HOLY



Holy as it relates to God means, perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character.

Holy as it relates to man means, pure in heart, a life regulated by the Divine precepts, whole or entire or perfect in a moral sense. Holiness, or to be holy is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of the heart and life to the principles of heaven.

Holy as it relates to things means, that which is dedicated and set aside to the Lord’s service.

To be holy because God is:

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. 1 Peter 1:13–17

Sober—Figurative discreet, calm not under the influence of passion, wise in avoiding errors or evil.

Holy—Morally blameless

Conversation—Behavior, manner of life.

Live as obedient children before God. Don’t let your character be moulded by the desires of your ignorant days, but be holy in every department of your lives, for the one who has called you is himself holy. 1 Peter 1:15 Phillips

For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. Leviticus 11:44, 45

True holiness will effect even our diet, this is not following an admonition given just to the Jews, rather God’s will for us reaches down to even our eating and drinking. For He knows what is best for us, for so we read: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Holiness is wholeness to God; it is obedience motivated by love.

And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. Leviticus 20:26

Severed—Divide (in various senses literal or figurative separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)

God intends that holiness be a part of the experience of His people, this was true of the Jews long ago and of the people of God today. Holiness is the work of God in us, a divine influence sanctifying heart, mind and soul. True holiness will be demonstrated by practical separation from the sinful society around us, its practices and attitudes and foolish and sinful pleasures.

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:15–18

For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Deuteronomy 14:2 (See Deuteronomy 28:9.)

Peculiar—Exclusive property, that which belongs to a person in exclusion of others. Singular, particular, ones own property.

Holiness was not inherent in being Jewish, neither today is it in the profession of Christianity. True holiness is found in being committed and surrendered to God. This alone makes us peculiar, holy, and separate, in word, deed and thoughts from the world or society around us.

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

Peculiar—Being beyond usual, i.e. special (ones own).

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. 1 Peter 2:9

Called to be holy:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1, 2

True holiness is wholehearted devotion to the service of God. Christ asks for unreserved consecration and for undivided service. To follow Christ and to be made holy means the surrender of the heart the mind, the soul, the strength.

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4, 7

For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice, That each one of you should know how to possess (control, manage) his own body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor. 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4 AMP

For God has not called us to impurity but to consecration [to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity]. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 AMP

God’s will for us is sexual and moral purity, which is a characteristic of holiness and one often ignored by religious people today.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17

It is God’s purpose that every created being, from the angels to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. However because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. The heart of man has been defiled by evil, and no longer reveals the glory of God.

However through the incarnation of the Son of God His life, death and resurrection, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled. God can once again dwell in humanity through the washing of regeneration and the sanctification of the Spirit, as by saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Ephesians 1:3, 4

An attribute of holiness is constant agreement with God. Living to love and please Him, this is the attitude of holiness.

For consider what he has done—before the foundation of the world he chose us to become, in Christ, his holy and blameless children living within his constant care. Ephesians 1:4 Phillips

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister. Colossians 1:21–23

Present—To stand beside, to exhibit, to recommend, substantiate, aid.

Continue—To stay over, i.e. remain (figurative persevere).

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 2 Peter 3:10–14

Since all these things are thus in the process of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behavior and devout and godly qualities. 2 Peter 3:11 AMP

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

Holiness—Sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated).

Therefore, since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 AMP

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:6

Blessed (happy, to be envied) and holy (spiritually whole, of unimpaired innocence and proved virtue) is the person who takes part (shares) in the first resurrection! Over them the second death exerts no power or authority, but they shall be ministers of God and of Christ (the Messiah), and they shall rule along with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20:6 AMP

People who were called holy:

• Deuteronomy 28:9—The Jews would be holy people if they would keep the commandments and walk in the ways of God.

• Isaiah 4:3—Those left in Zion after judgment purifies are called holy.

• Mark 6:20—John the Baptist was just and holy.

• Ephesians 3:5—The apostles and prophets were holy.

• 2 Peter 1:21—Holy men were moved by the Spirit to write and testify of Christ and things to come.

• 1 Peter 3:5—Women who trusted in God and who in their dress and home life followed God’s counsels were considered holy.

• Job 1:8—Job was a perfect and an upright man, he was holy and was one that feared God, and shunned evil.

• Ezekiel 14:14—Noah, Daniel, and Job, were considered holy and righteousness, according to God.

• Genesis 5:24—Enoch walked with God in holy consecration: and God took him from this earth to dwell with Him.

Set aside as priest’s of holiness:

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 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. 1 Peter 2:5, 9

But ye are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, God’s own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 AMP

And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD. Exodus 28:36–38

The engraving holiness to the Lord on the front of the mitre was a representation of holiness being written on the forehead of the mind, indicating total consecration and service to God. It finds its New Testament fulfillment in the priesthood of all believers a we read above in 1 Peter 2:5, 9, who are to be a people “renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23).

Enabled by God to be holy:

That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Luke 1:74, 75

Holiness—Piety.

To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:13

Stablish—Set fast, to turn resolutely in a certain direction, to confirm.

So that he may strengthen and confirm and establish your hearts faultlessly pure and unblamable in holiness in the sight of our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) with all His saints (the holy and glorified people of God)! Amen, (so be it)! 1 Thessalonians 3:13 AMP

Sanctify [consecrate dedicate] yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you. Leviticus 20:7, 8

Sanctify—To be (make, pronounce as) clean (ceremonially or morally).

In contrast to worshiping Molech or going after familiar spirits or in falling into various sexual sins as outlined in Leviticus 20, God calls His people to fully dedicate themselves to Him and living a life of holiness. And God Himself promises to sanctify those who would choose to serve Him. For it is only in God’s power, and our personal surrender that a man can do that which is right and pleasing in God’s sight.

Keep yourselves holy, because I am the Lord your God. Obey my laws, because I am the Lord and I make you holy. Leviticus 20:7, 8 TEV

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:24

Righteousness is holiness; it likeness in character to God and God is love. Holiness and righteousness means to be in conformity to the law of God, which is holy and righteous. (See Romans 7:12.)

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Timothy 1:9

[For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago]. 2 Timothy 1:9 AMP

Holy actions:

Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy. Psalm 99:9

LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned [Held in contempt]; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15:1–5

Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Psalm 24:3, 4

Clean—Innocent

Those who are pure in act and in thought, who do not worship idols or make false promises. Psalm 24:4 TEV

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Psalm 97:10

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Psalm 119:1–3

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Romans 6:19

(I use every day language because of the weakness of your natural selves.) At one time you surrendered yourselves entirely as slaves to impurity and wickedness for wicked purposes. In the same way you must now surrender yourselves entirely as slaves of righteousness for holy purposes. Romans 6:19 TEV

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:1–5

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 1 John 5:18–20

Holiness among the final generation:

And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. Daniel 8:23, 24 (See Revelation 12:17, 14:12.)

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:1, 4, 5

And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. Isaiah 4:3, 4

Close:

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Romans 6:22
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