When we say, “God is holy,” we are describing one of the most profound aspects of His character. Holiness is central to who God is, and it permeates every attribute of His being. Unlike any other quality, God’s holiness defines His essence and sets Him apart from everything else in the universe. So, what does it truly mean for God to be holy, and how does His holiness impact our lives as believers?
1. Holiness Means God Is Perfectly Pure and Without Sin
One key aspect of God’s holiness is His moral purity. God is entirely free from any sin or impurity. In Habakkuk 1:13, the prophet writes, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.” God’s holiness means He cannot be in the presence of sin because it’s contrary to His very nature. Unlike us, who are affected by sin in our thoughts, words, and actions, God is completely unstained by any kind of wrongdoing.
This purity is also evident in how Scripture describes God’s holiness as light. In 1 John 1:5, we read, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” Just as light dispels darkness, God’s holiness stands in complete contrast to all that is sinful and impure. His holiness exposes sin and reveals the truth, setting a standard of moral excellence that is beyond human reach.
2. Holiness Means God Is Set Apart
The word “holy” itself comes from the Hebrew word qadosh, which means “set apart” or “separate.” God’s holiness signifies that He is wholly distinct from His creation. In Exodus 15:11, we see this emphasized: “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” God is not like us; He is infinitely different, possessing a nature and power that are beyond human comprehension.
This separateness means that God is above and beyond all created things. While we are finite, limited by time and space, God is eternal and self-existent. His thoughts and ways are far higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and His holiness serves as a reminder that He alone is God, distinct from all that He has made. This is why in worship, we acknowledge God’s “otherness,” giving Him reverence as the One who is unlike anything else.
3. God’s Holiness Inspires Awe and Reverence
Throughout Scripture, God’s holiness elicits a response of awe and reverence from those who encounter Him. Isaiah’s vision of God in the temple captures this perfectly. When he saw the Lord seated on His throne, surrounded by angels who cried, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3), Isaiah was overwhelmed by a sense of unworthiness. He declared, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5).
In Revelation, we see a similar scene as heavenly beings around God’s throne continually proclaim, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 4:8). The repetition of “holy” emphasizes the unmatched perfection of God’s holiness, drawing attention to His absolute purity and majesty. God’s holiness is awe-inspiring, reminding us that He deserves our deepest reverence and respect. When we approach Him, we do so with a recognition of His greatness and our own need for His mercy.
4. Holiness Calls Us to Purity and Righteousness
As believers, God’s holiness is not just a distant reality; it has personal implications for our lives. God calls us to reflect His holiness in our own conduct. 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts us, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” Holiness isn’t about perfection but about setting ourselves apart for God, living in a way that honors Him.
God’s holiness inspires us to pursue purity, avoid sin, and live according to His standards. This doesn’t mean we’re expected to be sinless, but as followers of Christ, we are transformed by His Spirit, who empowers us to walk in righteousness. God’s holiness becomes the model and motivation for our moral choices, encouraging us to live differently from the world.
5. Holiness Leads Us to Jesus, Our Mediator
God’s holiness also brings to light our need for a Savior. Because God is holy, sin cannot be in His presence. This creates a separation between humanity and God, as all have sinned and fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). But in His mercy, God made a way to bridge that gap through Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully man.
Through Jesus, we are able to approach a holy God with confidence. Hebrews 4:16 invites us, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection make it possible for us to be forgiven and to stand before God clothed in Christ’s righteousness. Jesus is the way we experience the holiness of God without being condemned by our own sin.
Experiencing the Joy of God’s Holiness
God’s holiness is a beautiful, transformative reality. It reminds us of His purity, inspires our worship, shapes our behavior, and leads us to Jesus, our Savior. As we grow in our understanding of God’s holiness, we are drawn closer to Him, finding joy in His presence and hope in His promises. Holiness isn’t simply about rules; it’s about living in the light of God’s glory, allowing His character to shape our lives in every way.
Embracing God’s holiness is an invitation to know Him more deeply, to experience His love, and to live a life that reflects His grace and truth. As we do, we find that His holiness is not something to fear, but something to celebrate—a source of joy, awe, and strength in every season of life.
Reflection Questions
- How does understanding God’s holiness change the way you approach Him in prayer and worship?
- What are some ways you can pursue holiness in your daily life?
- How does Jesus, as our mediator, give you confidence to draw near to a holy God?