Articles
Word Of The Week: Holy
In the highest sense, only God is holy by nature. He is pure, free from all defect or imperfection. So absolute is this quality that nothing tainted with sin can sustain fellowship with Him, and nothing flawed is worthy to be in His presence.
Problem: We humans are not flawless, yet He desires fellowship with us, and some of us desire fellowship with Him. If this is to occur, some process of “cleansing” or restoration to a perfect state must be achieved.
Solution: The death of Jesus serves as the basis for such a return to “holiness.” His blood was shed to pay the price for sin, and those who wish to do so can avail themselves of the cleansing effect of His blood. When sinners do this, when they re-enter a viable relationship with God; they are set apart unto God as His special people. They are made holy.
But there is another aspect to this notion of holiness, and that is the continual effort to separate ourselves from sinful attitudes and practices in our lives, not merely to seek forgiveness after they are done but to avoid them altogether. This is called “sanctification,” which is from the same word family as “holy.”
