Holiness

[handy]

1 Peter 1:15-16 "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.'"


Is holiness defined more by what we do, or by what we don't do?

 

[Theofilus]

Is holiness defined more by what we do, or by what we don't do?

Yes.

I guess that requires a little bit more explination. Holiness is about our behavior and our behavior is defined both by what we do and what we don't do. The two are, in fact, inseparable. Every time we do something, we don't do something else. For example, if a man cheats on his wife (something he does) then he's not being faithful to her (something he doesn't do). If a woman goes to church regularly (something she does), then she is not "forsak[ing] the assembling of ourselves together" (something she doesn't do).

Since holiness is defined by both what we do and what we don't do, the only answer to your question is "yes".

 

[sherri2]

I just had another look at that scripture in the original and it can also be phrased-
'but like the holy one who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behaviour'


to be 'holy' also means to be right, since holiness is always right. so do whatever is right.

however if we could do that automatically, we'd already be perfect. and if we could do that in our own strength we wouldn't need God. hence christs sacrifice would be irrelevent.

so we're called to do what's right, but only God can shape our character to the way and degree that he wants it. therefore he needs to be in charge through our obedience to his leading through the holy spirit. it's a journey. we can't get on it and expect to be able to behave perfectly just because we want to. (even Paul was afflicted with 'a thorn in his flesh' so he wouldn't fall to pride).

Nobody is perfect. We can simply do our best as we follow christ. And that's a choice. Hence these kinds of scriptures.

 

[Dusty]

I believe because we serve a righteous and Holy God that He is asking us to pattern our lives after Him . We see back even in Exodus how God is desctibed .

Exodus 15:11
"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?

Because God is holy, and in our love for Him, we should seek to emulate him with our own lives. We are often called to be imitators of Christ, and holiness is one of his most defining traits.

The Bible dictionary says :The state of being hallowed, or consecrated to God or to his worship; sacredness.


IN THE OLD TESTAMENT MEANING OF THE TERM

1. The Holiness of God

(1) Absoluteness and Majesty

(2) Ethical Holiness

2. Holiness of Place, Time and Object

3. Holiness of Men

(1) Ceremonial

(2) Ethical and Spiritual

. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT: THE CHRISTIAN CONCEPTION

1. Applied to God

2. Applied To Christ

3. Applied To Things

4. Applied To Christians

(1) As Separate from the World

(2) As Bound to the Pursuit of an Ethical Ideal




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[Jus10]

Holiness simply means something is "set apart." For a person to be "holy as God is holy" means they they need to a) repent and b) have faith in God's Word. Repenting is taking action, action means you're doing something.

People explain that the easiest way to define "repent" is the action of turning away, so in a Biblical sense you're turning away from sin and independance. But it's a two fold action... it's not just turning away from sin, but you're focus must be re-centered.

So in this case you're turning from sin/independance and turning to God/dependance. In doing this when your actions are God centered, they are moral and selfless and good in God's eyes. But we still have that choice to obey God or obey ourselves, thankfully God sent His Son to cover our sins and redeem us... that's where our faith comes in. To be holy means our actions are God-pleasing, but our actions aren't what saves us, our actions prove we are saved. Salvation come from grace alone.

 

[Dusty]

Holiness simply means something is "set apart." For a person to be "holy as God is holy" means they they need to a) repent and b) have faith in God's Word. Repenting is taking action, action means you're doing something.

People explain that the easiest way to define "repent" is the action of turning away, so in a Biblical sense you're turning away from sin and independance. But it's a two fold action... it's not just turning away from sin, but you're focus must be re-centered.

So in this case you're turning from sin/independance and turning to God/dependance. In doing this when your actions are God centered, they are moral and selfless and good in God's eyes. But we still have that choice to obey God or obey ourselves, thankfully God sent His Son to cover our sins and redeem us... that's where our faith comes in. To be holy means our actions are God-pleasing, but our actions aren't what saves us, our actions prove we are saved. Salvation come from grace alone.

Amen . That is what is required of us as Christians and we cannot be Holy until we have accepted Christ in to our heart. Then and only then can we turn from our old ways with the help of the Holy Spirit and our desires become new because we are new creations in Christ.