Holiness

Holiness is a fundamental attribute of God and a central theme throughout the Bible. It signifies purity, separation from sin, and dedication to God's service. The Hebrew word for holiness, "qodesh," and the Greek word "hagios," both convey the idea of being set apart or consecrated. Holiness is intrinsic to God's nature, as seen in Isaiah 6:3, where the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth."

God's holiness is the standard for His people. In Leviticus 19:2, God commands, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" This call to holiness is reiterated in the New Testament, as 1 Peter 1:15-16 states, "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.'"

Holiness involves both moral purity and a distinctiveness that sets God's people apart from the world. It is not merely an external adherence to rules but a transformation of the heart and mind, aligning one's life with God's will. The pursuit of holiness is a lifelong journey, empowered by the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to live in a manner pleasing to God.

Sanctification

Sanctification is the process by which believers are made holy, set apart for God's purposes, and conformed to the image of Christ. It is both an instantaneous act and a progressive work. At the moment of salvation, believers are sanctified positionally, as seen in 1 Corinthians 6:11: "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

This initial sanctification is followed by a lifelong process of spiritual growth and maturity, often referred to as progressive sanctification. Philippians 2:12-13 encourages believers to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." This process involves cooperation with the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to overcome sin and grow in righteousness.

Sanctification is both a divine work and a human responsibility. Believers are called to actively pursue holiness, as Hebrews 12:14 exhorts, "Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." This pursuit involves the renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2), the mortification of sinful desires (Colossians 3:5), and the cultivation of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Ultimately, sanctification will be completed in glorification, when believers are fully conformed to the likeness of Christ. 1 John 3:2 offers this hope: "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is." Until that day, believers are called to live lives that reflect the holiness of God, empowered by His Spirit and grounded in His Word.