Holiness

1) Holiness commanded:
Le 11:45 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.
Le 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Col 3:12 ¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Ro 12:1 ¶ 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.
 
2) CHRIST:
 2a) Desires Holiness for his people:
Joh 17:17 ¶ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2b) Effects Holiness in his people:
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
2c) An example of Holiness:
Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
 
3) The character of God, the standard of Holiness:
Le 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Eph 5:1 ¶ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
 
4) The character of Christ, the standard of Holiness:
Ro 8:29 ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
1Jo 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
 
5) The gospel the way of Holiness:
Isa 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
 
6) Holiness necessary to God's worship:
Ps 24:3 ¶ Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
Ps 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
 
7) None shall see God without Holiness:
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
 
8) Saints:
 8a) Elected to Holiness:
Ro 8:29 ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Eph 1:4 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:
8b) Called to Holiness:
1Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
2Ti 1:9 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,
8c) New created in Holiness:
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
8d) Possess Holiness:
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Heb 3:1 ¶ Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
8e) Have their fruit to Holiness:
Ro 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
8f) Should follow after Holiness:
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
8g) Should serve God in Holiness:
Lu 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Lu 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
8h) Should yield their members as instruments of Holiness:
Ro 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Ro 6:19 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.
8i) Should present their bodies to God in Holiness:
Ro 12:1 ¶ 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.
8j) Should have their conversation in Holiness:
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
2Pe 3:11 ¶ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
8k) Should continue in Holiness:
Lu 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
8l) Should seek perfection in Holiness:
2Co 7:1 ¶ 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.
8m) Shall be presented to God in Holiness:
Col 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
1Th 3:13 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.
8n) Shall continue in Holiness for ever:
Re 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
 
9) Behaviour of aged women should be as becomes Holiness:
Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
 
10) Promise to women who continue in Holiness:
1Ti 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
 
11) Holiness promised to the Church:
Isa 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Ob 1:17 ¶ But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
Zec 14:20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
Zec 14:21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.
 
12) Holiness becoming to the Church:
Ps 93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
 
13) The Church is the beauty of Holiness:
1Ch 16:29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Ps 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
 
14) The word of God the means of producing Holiness:
Joh 17:17 ¶ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
 
15) Holiness is the result of:
 15a) The manifestation of God's grace:
Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
15b) Subjection to God:
Ro 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
15c) God's keeping:
Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
15d) Union with Christ:
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
 
16) Holiness required in prayer:
1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
 
17) Ministers should:
 17a) Possess Holiness:
Tit 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
17b) Avoid everything inconsistent with Holiness:
Le 21:6 They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.
Isa 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
17c) Be examples of Holiness:
1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
17d) Exhort to Holiness:
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
 
18) Motives to Holiness:
 18a) The glory of God:
Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Php 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
18b) The love of Christ:
2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
18c) The mercies of God:
Ro 12:1 ¶ 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.
Ro 12:2 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.
18d) The dissolution of all things:
2Pe 3:11 ¶ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
 
19) Chastisements are intended to produce Holiness in saints:
Heb 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Jas 1:2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
 
20) Holiness should lead to separation from the wicked:
Nu 16:21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
Nu 16:26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
 
21) The wicked are without Holiness:
1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
 
22) Holiness exemplified:
 22a) David:
Ps 86:2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
22b) Israel:
Jer 2:3 Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.
22c) John the Baptist:
Mr 6:20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
22d) Prophets:
Lu 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
22e) Paul:
1Th 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
22f) Wives of Patriarchs:
1Pe 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
 Return to Christian Subjects index