Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
Be holy?! Wow, that seems impossible doesn’t it? But the Word teaches us that without holiness no one will see the Lord.
What is holiness?
Holiness is one of God’s basic characteristics. The word holy indicates absolute perfection and purity. Only God is holy in himself.
So how can you and I be holy?
When the word holy is used with regard to people or things, it refers to “being set apart”. For the born-again believer it specifically means separation from sin and the world and dedication to God and his will. Since we have received the Holy Spirit of God we have received power over sin, sickness and the devil, as taught to us in Mark 16:16-18
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
God is holy and commands his people to be holy like him.
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.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
When our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned against God, sin separated all humans from a holy God. By paying the penalty for our sin, Jesus restored that broken relationship. So, if we are to have a relationship with Jesus our Savior, we must separate ourselves from the old life of sin and yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit.
The choice is either separation from sin and the world or separation from God. The choice is always yours.
There are only two choices. Belong to God or belong to Satan, who is the god of this world system. There is no neutral ground. One is holy, the other is unholy. The call for separation from an unholy world is very clear, as taught to us in 2 Corinthians 6:17:
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)