Holiness: Necessary to God's Worship
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Holiness is a fundamental attribute of God and a requisite for those who seek to worship Him. The concept of holiness permeates the Bible, underscoring the distinctiveness and purity of God and the call for His people to reflect His nature in their worship and daily lives.

Definition and Nature of Holiness

Holiness, in its essence, refers to being set apart, pure, and morally blameless. It is an intrinsic quality of God, who is described as "Holy, Holy, Holy" (Isaiah 6:3), emphasizing His absolute purity and separation from sin. God's holiness is foundational to His character and actions, and it demands a response of reverence and awe from His creation.

Holiness in Worship

The worship of God requires holiness, as He is a holy God who cannot tolerate sin in His presence. 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 not merely ceremonial but encompasses the entirety of one's life, reflecting God's nature in thoughts, words, and deeds.

The necessity of holiness in worship is further illustrated in Psalm 29:2 : "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness." Worship that is acceptable to God is characterized by a heart and life that are aligned with His holy standards.

The Role of Jesus Christ in Holiness

The New Testament reveals that holiness is made possible through Jesus Christ. Believers are called to be holy, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "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.'" Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, believers are cleansed from sin and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live holy lives.

Hebrews 12:14 underscores the importance of holiness in the believer's life: "Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." This pursuit of holiness is not optional but essential for those who desire to see and worship God.

Holiness in the Church

The church, as the body of Christ, is called to be a holy community. Ephesians 5:25-27 describes Christ's purpose for the church: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless."

The church's worship and witness are to be marked by holiness, reflecting God's character to the world. This involves both individual and corporate commitment to living according to God's holy standards.

Practical Implications of Holiness

Holiness in worship requires intentionality and dedication. Believers are called to examine their lives, repent of sin, and seek to grow in holiness through the study of Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. Romans 12:1 exhorts, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

In summary, holiness is indispensable to the worship of God. It is both a divine attribute and a divine requirement, calling believers to live lives that honor God and reflect His holy nature.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 24:3,4
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Three Necessary "Rations"
... THREE NECESSARY "RATIONS". ... If you are willing to do anything, no matter what, God
will see ... How especially true this is in some of the modern holiness movements! ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-three three necessary rations.htm

Note C. The Holiness of God.
... Divine holiness, must therefore appear as a necessary safeguard as ... Scripture speaks
not so much of holiness, as the ... it is in a life with God, that something of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/note c the holiness of.htm

Holiness
... blessed return of the people of God and tells ... existence, which declare that sectism
and division is necessary. This class of holiness is not that described in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter ix holiness.htm

The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is ...
... and command upon it, which is a necessary ingredient in it ... used upon a religious
account, in which God hath placed ... worship, as if there were more holiness in it ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xi the knowledge that.htm

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
... Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty. ... fitter, what more noble motives,
to holiness and purity of ... yea, that could not make you happy without God. ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/thankfulness for mercies received a.htm

On God's vineyard
... are saved by faith, and that "without holiness no man ... of public scandal, it is judged
necessary to declare ... ever since been permitted to worship God according to ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 107 on gods vineyard.htm

Concerning Worship.
... week more than any other, or any holiness inherent in ... But first, forasmuch as it
is necessary that there be ... saints to meet together to wait upon God; and that ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... For every form of human holiness is condemned to destruction; yet for the ... human
righteousness "filth," and says it is not necessary to God's kingdom; indeed ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm

Consecration and Preservation.
... This phrase is often found in the New Testament: "God is faithful." "The Lord is ...
It is well and necessary from time to time to look at holiness from the ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/ii consecration and preservation.htm

Spiritual Worship
... neither of inward and outward holiness, concerning which ... As this was absolutely
necessary for the ... of the earth; all that worship God (whatever denomination ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 77 spiritual worship.htm

Resources
Summary of the Book of Leviticus - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What is the Nazarene Church, and what do Nazarenes believe? | GotQuestions.org

How should a believer respond to the characteristics of God? | GotQuestions.org

Holiness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Holiness

Holiness Holy

Holiness is the Result of God's Keeping

Holiness is the Result of Subjection to God

Holiness is the Result of The Manifestation of God's Grace

Holiness is the Result of Union With Christ

Holiness of God

Holiness: Becoming to the Church

Holiness: Behaviour of Aged Women should be As Becomes

Holiness: Chastisements are Intended to Produce, in Saints

Holiness: Christ: An Example of

Holiness: Christ: Desires for his People

Holiness: Christ: Effects, in his People

Holiness: Commanded

Holiness: David

Holiness: General Scriptures Concerning

Holiness: Israel

Holiness: John the Baptist

Holiness: Ministers should Avoid Everything Inconsistent With

Holiness: Ministers should be Examples of

Holiness: Ministers should Exhort To

Holiness: Ministers should Possess

Holiness: Motives to The Dissolution of all Things

Holiness: Motives to The Glory of God

Holiness: Motives to The Love of Christ

Holiness: Motives to The Mercies of God

Holiness: Necessary to God's Worship

Holiness: None Shall See God Without

Holiness: Paul

Holiness: Promise to Women Who Continue In

Holiness: Promised to the Church

Holiness: Prophets

Holiness: Required in Prayer

Holiness: Saints: Called To

Holiness: Saints: Elected To

Holiness: Saints: Have Their Fruit To

Holiness: Saints: New Created In

Holiness: Saints: Possess

Holiness: Saints: Shall be Presented to God In

Holiness: Saints: Shall Continue In, for Ever

Holiness: Saints: should Continue In

Holiness: Saints: should Follow After

Holiness: Saints: should Have Their Conversation In

Holiness: Saints: should Present Their Bodies to God In

Holiness: Saints: should Seek Perfection In

Holiness: Saints: should Serve God In

Holiness: Saints: should Yield Their Members As Instruments of

Holiness: should Lead to Separation from the Wicked

Holiness: The Character of Christ, the Standard of

Holiness: The Character of God, the Standard of

Holiness: The Church is the Beauty of

Holiness: The Gospel the Way of

Holiness: The Wicked are Without

Holiness: The Word of God the Means of Producing

Holiness: Wives of Patriarchs

The Holiness of God is Incomparable

The Holiness of God is Pledged for the Fulfilment of His Judgments

The Holiness of God is Pledged for the Fulfilment of His Promises

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Character

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Kingdom

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Name

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Words

The Holiness of God: Exhibited in His: Works

The Holiness of God: Heavenly Hosts Adore

The Holiness of God: Requires Holy Service

The Holiness of God: Saints are Commanded to Imitate

The Holiness of God: Saints should Praise

The Holiness of God: should be Magnified

The Holiness of God: should Produce Reverential Fear

Related Terms

Anger (387 Occurrences)

Omnipotence (2 Occurrences)

Defilement (12 Occurrences)

Light (2869 Occurrences)

Defile (63 Occurrences)

Immaculate

Conception (6 Occurrences)

Beauty (98 Occurrences)

Liberty (32 Occurrences)

Glorifying (21 Occurrences)

Wrath (503 Occurrences)

Tempt (18 Occurrences)

Terrible (90 Occurrences)

Temptation (22 Occurrences)

Exultation (10 Occurrences)

Mete (7 Occurrences)

Convert (6 Occurrences)

Apportion (19 Occurrences)

Thin (39 Occurrences)

Sanctification (13 Occurrences)

Exult (50 Occurrences)

Leviticus (1 Occurrence)

Natural (49 Occurrences)

Salvation (386 Occurrences)

Praise (487 Occurrences)

Perfect (205 Occurrences)

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)

Man (26072 Occurrences)

Likeness (52 Occurrences)

Sanctify (91 Occurrences)

Adoration

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)

Flame (61 Occurrences)

Atonement (112 Occurrences)

Glass (12 Occurrences)

Becometh (82 Occurrences)

Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)

Church (110 Occurrences)

Anthropology

Glory (590 Occurrences)

Remembrance (74 Occurrences)

Comparative

Pentateuch

Ethics

Glorious (91 Occurrences)

Fire (602 Occurrences)

Habitation (90 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Yearning (3 Occurrences)

Vessel (118 Occurrences)

Vale (20 Occurrences)

Notwithstanding (37 Occurrences)

Nazirite (10 Occurrences)

Unblameable (5 Occurrences)

Unblamable (3 Occurrences)

Uncleanness (56 Occurrences)

Ornament (23 Occurrences)

John (154 Occurrences)

Leads (64 Occurrences)

Lawlessness (13 Occurrences)

Loving-kindness (150 Occurrences)

Gracious (106 Occurrences)

Guilt (180 Occurrences)

Growing (31 Occurrences)

Works (379 Occurrences)

Way-faring (6 Occurrences)

Wayfaring (7 Occurrences)

Worldly (25 Occurrences)

Infinitude

Impurity (42 Occurrences)

Infirmity (22 Occurrences)

Included (17 Occurrences)

Figures (11 Occurrences)

Fearful (73 Occurrences)

Freedom (45 Occurrences)

Freed (32 Occurrences)

Filthiness (16 Occurrences)

Faces (158 Occurrences)

Forevermore (27 Occurrences)

Holiness: Motives to The Mercies of God
Top of Page
Top of Page