Holiness in a new light

As Christians, we use the word 'holy' very often. It is a word that the Bible uses often. Many of our favourite songs sung in churches the world over have been filled with this word for more than two thousand years. Our sermons resound continually with this word.

The question is, Do we know what 'holy' means?

We know that God is holy.

We know that we ought to be holy.

And if we are honest, we know that we are not.

But what does it mean, this word that we use so often in the church?

I am so glad you asked!

There are many and quite complex ways to study this word. We can look at the Biblical languages. Old English and Old High German can also give insight and if you are so inclined, it is a very interesting study. For the sake of this blog, I'm going to keep it simple.

What should you understand when you sing one of your favourite worship songs using the word 'holy' to describe God?

The superficial, general meaning speaks of the presence of sacredness in an object, being, person, place or idea. On the next level, it speaks of 'wholeness' denoting a state of religious completeness or perfection. A lot can be said of this picture of 'wholeness'. This is the most common understanding held by people.

However, in essence, 'holiness' speaks of being

utterly unique, unlike any other.

When we say, 'God is holy,' we are saying,

'God is utterly unique! Unlike any other!'

When we say, 'We should be holy,' we are saying,

'We should be utterly unique! Unlike any other!'

God went to a lot of trouble to make you utterly unique, unlike any other. Just think of your fingerprints, the iris of your eye and your DNA. He made only one of you. No one can be a better you than you!

A holy object is something set apart, cleaned and prepared for a specific and unique purpose. We are holy when we fulfil our unique purpose.

The word 'sin' comes from a Greek word that paints a picture of an archer aiming at a target but wilfully missing the target. Sin is that which causes us to miss our target or to be unholy.

When we celebrate God's holiness, we celebrate how utterly unique, unlike any other He is.

When we strive to be holy, we strive to be the unique, unlike any other person, God created us to be.

To be a copy is unholy.
To miss God's purpose for your life is unholy.

It is time for you to be holy! To be the you that no one else can be!

Your comments, as always, are welcome.

How do you understand holiness?

@reonlouw