The concept of God's holiness is central to the biblical narrative and is foundational to understanding the nature of God and His expectations for His people. Holiness, in the biblical sense, refers to God's absolute purity, moral perfection, and separation from sin. This divine attribute necessitates a response of holy service from those who are called to be His people.

Biblical Foundation

The holiness of God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. In Isaiah 6:3, the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." This thrice-repeated declaration emphasizes the supreme holiness of God, setting Him apart from all creation. God's holiness is not merely an attribute but the essence of His being, influencing all His actions and decrees.

Call to Holy Service

God's holiness demands a corresponding holiness in those who serve Him. In Leviticus 19:2, God commands the Israelites, "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 limited to moral purity but extends to every aspect of life, including worship, conduct, and service.

The New Testament reiterates this call. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, believers are exhorted, "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.'" This passage underscores the continuity of God's expectation for His people to reflect His holiness through their actions and service.

Holy Service in Worship

Worship is a primary context in which holy service is rendered to God. In John 4:24, Jesus teaches, "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." True worship requires a heart aligned with God's holiness, characterized by sincerity and reverence. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament, with its meticulous regulations, illustrates the importance of approaching God with the utmost respect and purity.

Holy Service in Daily Life

Holy service extends beyond formal worship to encompass daily living. Romans 12:1 urges believers, "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." This call to present oneself as a living sacrifice signifies a life wholly dedicated to God, marked by obedience and righteousness.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling believers to live a life of holy service. In Galatians 5:16, Paul instructs, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." The indwelling Spirit empowers believers to overcome sin and live in a manner that reflects God's holiness.

Consequences of Unholy Service

Scripture also warns of the consequences of failing to render holy service. In Leviticus 10:1-2, Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offer unauthorized fire before the LORD, resulting in their immediate death. This account serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God regards His holiness and the service rendered to Him.

Conclusion

The holiness of God is a profound and awe-inspiring attribute that demands a response of holy service from His people. This service encompasses worship, daily conduct, and a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the purity and righteousness of God Himself.Joshua 24:19
And Joshua said to the people, You cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 93:5
Your testimonies are very sure: holiness becomes your house, O LORD, for ever.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Note A. Holiness as Proprietorship.
... shall render to Him the devotion He requires.' 'All holy ... with the service of God.'
'When God declares He ... is predicated of men and things.' 'Holiness is God's ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/note a holiness as proprietorship.htm

Holy Raiment of One's Own Weaving.
... being is naturally in collision with the will of God; whose holiness does not ... But
it requires the Holy Spirit's additional and very peculiar act, whereby ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/v holy raiment of ones.htm

Sanctified by God the Father.
... is Himself infinitely holy, and He requires all His ... His gospel for them to be made
and kept holy. And it is precisely the standard of God's holiness which is ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter xi sanctified by god.htm

Thou Shalt Sanctify the Holy Day. [Remember the Sabbath Day to ...
... causes and necessities, which nature teaches and requires; for the ... fictitious spiritual
orders which know nothing of God's Word and seek holiness in their ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt sanctify the holy.htm

Conclusion.
... in the epistles, we find that God requires His people ... and to every sanctified child
of God, there may ... Many teachers of holiness inculcate the doctrine that we ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter xvi conclusion.htm

Appendix 1 the Will of God
... When God requires holiness His preceptive or revealed will respects the ... but when
He decrees that holiness shall not ... God's will of decree is not His will in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the sovereignty of god/appendix 1 the will of.htm

Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith, 1902.
... believer as the spirit of truth, of holiness, and of ... We believe that God requires
of every man to do justly ... brotherhood of man wherein the kingdom of God is to ...
/.../brief statement of the reformed.htm

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's ...
... than part with his sins and become holy in heart ... will avail to procure the divine
favor"that holiness of heart ... We may do much which God requires, may even go ...
/.../sermon xviii balaks inquiries relative.htm

The National Oath at Shechem
... are based upon our recognition of His holiness and demand for ... it as their free choice,
he requires the putting ... If God be 'holy' and 'jealous,' serving Him must ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the national oath at shechem.htm

The Lively Stones. Rev. W. Morley Punshon.
... Let the child be impressed with holiness, and he ... acceptable, being sanctified by
the Holy Ghost." "In ... this sacrifice and offering, happily, God requires not at ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the lively stones rev w.htm

Is being holy even possible, since only God is holy? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God is holy, holy, holy? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God speak to Moses out of the burning bush? | GotQuestions.org

Holiness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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