Reflecting the Nature of God: 7 Things the Bible Teaches us about Holiness

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What does God say about holiness? Here are 7 revelations will transform our understanding.

This post is all about uncovering hidden treasures in Scripture about holiness, revealing a path that’s both challenges us and deeply fulfills our hearts. Like many others, I used to think holiness was an impossible standard or a list of “don’ts,” until I began to understand it as God’s invitation to share in His character.

These seven foundational truths include understanding holiness as God’s nature, recognizing it as a call to purposeful living, seeing how it affects every area of life, and discovering the transformative power of Christ in making holy living possible. Each insight helps us move from viewing holiness as an intimidating requirement to embracing it as a life-giving journey with God.

Whether you’re new to exploring biblical holiness or seeking to deepen your understanding, these principles will help you grasp what God truly means when He calls us to “be holy, as I am holy.” Together, we’ll discover how holiness isn’t about perfect performance but about progressive transformation into God’s character.

1. Holiness Reflects God’s Character

Have you ever stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon or gazed at a star-filled sky and felt overwhelmingly small? That sense of awe gives us a glimpse of what the Bible means when it speaks of God’s holiness. It’s not just about moral perfection – it’s about His utterly unique and awe-inspiring nature. Isaiah experienced this firsthand when he saw a vision of God and heard angels crying, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3).

Understanding holiness starts with understanding God’s character. When Scripture says “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5), it’s describing His absolute purity and perfection. This isn’t just about what God does – it’s about who He is. Every aspect of His character is completely pure, righteous, and set apart from everything else in creation.

When God calls us to “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy” (Leviticus 19:2), He’s inviting us to reflect His character. Think of it like a moon reflecting the sun’s light – we’re meant to reflect God’s holiness in our lives. This doesn’t mean we become divine, but rather that our character increasingly mirrors His attributes: love, justice, mercy, truthfulness.

The amazing thing about God’s holiness is that it’s not cold or distant. Jesus showed us that divine holiness reaches out to touch and transform human lives. When He ate with tax collectors and touched lepers, He demonstrated that true holiness isn’t about staying away from the messy parts of life – it’s about bringing God’s pure and transforming presence into every situation.

2. Holiness Requires Separation

“In the world but not of it” – this phrase might sound cliché, but it captures a vital truth about biblical holiness. When God called Abraham, He essentially said, “Leave everything familiar and follow Me to a new life” (Genesis 12:1). This call to separation isn’t about hiding from the world; it’s about living with a different purpose and different values.

The Bible uses the word “sanctified,” which means “set apart.” Think of it like a surgical instrument. It’s not kept in a sterile environment because it’s too good to be used, but because its special purpose requires it to be uncontaminated. As Paul writes, “Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you'” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

This separation shows up in practical ways. It might mean choosing different entertainment than our culture promotes, making business decisions based on integrity rather than just profit, or maintaining different standards in our relationships. Peter reminds us that we’re “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9).

But here’s the key: separation isn’t about superiority or isolation. Jesus was perfectly holy yet deeply engaged with people from all walks of life. The goal is to be distinct in character while being present in relationship. Like salt that maintains its distinct flavor while seasoning food, we’re called to engage with our world while maintaining our distinct identity in Christ.

3. Holiness Involves Transformation

If you’ve ever watched a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis, you’ve seen a picture of what the Bible teaches about holiness. It’s not about trying harder to follow rules – it’s about transformation from the inside out. Paul describes it as being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2), a process that changes not just our actions but our entire being.

This transformation isn’t instant. Just as a butterfly’s metamorphosis takes time, becoming holy is a progressive journey. The theological term is “sanctification,” but really, it’s about becoming more like Jesus day by day. As Paul writes, “We all… are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The beautiful truth is that we’re not left to achieve this transformation on our own. God promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you” (Ezekiel 36:26). The Holy Spirit works within us, changing our desires and empowering us to live differently. Yet we participate in this process through spiritual disciplines, obedience, and daily choices to follow Christ.

I remember struggling with anger issues early in my faith journey. Simply trying to control my temper through willpower never worked long-term. Real change began when I allowed God to transform my heart, helping me see people through His eyes and respond with His patience. As John reminds us, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him” (1 John 3:2).

4. Holiness Affects Daily Living

Have you ever thought about how your morning coffee choice could be an act of holiness? Or how responding to that frustrating email might be a sacred moment? We often reserve the concept of holiness for Sunday mornings or special spiritual moments, but Scripture shows us it’s meant to infuse every aspect of our lives. As Paul writes, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

This practical holiness shows up in everyday decisions: how we spend our money, the way we talk about others when they’re not around, our behavior in traffic, our social media posts. It’s about bringing God’s character into every situation. When Paul instructs, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification” (Ephesians 4:29), he’s talking about ordinary conversations transformed by holy purpose.

I learned this lesson powerfully through my work as an accountant. Initially, I saw my job as separate from my spiritual life until I realized that every number I entered, every report I prepared, was an opportunity to demonstrate God’s character through accuracy and integrity. As Colossians 3:23 teaches, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”

The amazing thing about practical holiness is how it transforms mundane moments into meaningful ones. Even household chores become acts of worship when done with a heart aligned with God’s character. This isn’t about perfection – it’s about bringing God’s presence and purposes into every corner of our lives.

5. Holiness is Made Possible Through Christ

If you’ve ever tried to clean a stained shirt with dirty water, you know it’s impossible to make something clean with something unclean. That’s why the Bible’s message about holiness is so revolutionary – it starts with Christ making us clean. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The beauty of the gospel is that holiness isn’t something we achieve through our own efforts. Jesus’s sacrifice doesn’t just forgive our sins; it actually makes us holy in God’s sight. As Hebrews 10:10 declares, “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

This doesn’t mean we become instantly perfect in our behavior. Rather, Christ’s work gives us a new identity and new power to live holy lives. Think of it like a grafted branch – we’re connected to Christ’s life and nature, drawing our strength and character from Him. Jesus explained this using a vine metaphor: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you… apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

I remember struggling with perfectionism in my pursuit of holiness until I understood this truth. The pressure lifted when I realized holiness wasn’t about my performance but about Christ’s presence working in me. As Paul testifies, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

Holiness isn’t a solo journey – it’s meant to be lived out in community. Think of how a single candle can light up a room, but multiple candles transform darkness into brilliant light. That’s how holiness works in the body of Christ. As Peter writes, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9), using plural terms to describe this calling.

6. Holiness Impacts Community

In the early church, believers’ holy living had such an impact that “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). Their distinct lifestyle – sharing possessions, caring for the needy, loving across social boundaries – demonstrated God’s character to their world. This wasn’t just individual holiness; it was corporate witness.

The community aspect of holiness also provides accountability and encouragement. Hebrews 10:24-25 instructs us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another.” I’ve experienced this personally through small group relationships where brothers and sisters helped me see blind spots and supported me in growing more like Christ.

This communal holiness extends beyond church walls into our neighborhoods, workplaces, and social circles. When believers live holy lives together, it creates a compelling testimony of God’s transforming power. As Jesus prayed, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me” (John 17:23).

7. Holiness Has Eternal Purpose

Ever wonder why God seems so concerned about holiness? It’s not just about following rules or being good – it’s about preparing for eternity. The Bible reveals that holiness has an eternal purpose: to prepare us for endless fellowship with a holy God. As Hebrews 12:14 states, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

This eternal perspective changes everything about how we view holiness. Every choice to live holy isn’t just about the present moment; it’s about being shaped for our eternal destiny. Paul captures this in 2 Corinthians 4:17: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Think of it like an athlete training for the Olympics. Every practice session, every sacrifice, is focused on that moment of competition. Similarly, our pursuit of holiness is preparing us for eternal fellowship with God. This doesn’t mean we earn our salvation through holiness – that’s secured through Christ. Rather, holiness shapes us for the reality we’ll experience forever.

I’ve found this eternal perspective particularly helpful when facing difficult choices. Knowing that each decision to live holy is contributing to eternal purposes makes temporary sacrifices more meaningful. As John writes, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

Conclusion:

Understanding what God says about holiness transforms it from an impossible standard into an invitation to experience life as it was meant to be lived. Through these seven biblical truths, we see that holiness isn’t about rigid rules but about reflecting God’s character in our daily lives. As we embrace this journey of holiness, we discover that it’s not about striving for perfection but about progressively growing more like Christ through His grace and power.