Holy means “set apart.” A holy life is a life that always chooses to do what God desires because he has set us apart. “Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself.” (Psalm 4:3)  This does not mean that a Christian achieves sinless perfection here on earth; we are here in the “in between.” But we do strive to live a life marked by following Jesus very closely.

 

So in short, yes, it does matter that one do “Christian” things, but not out of obligation or fear. And definitely not as a transaction for salvation in exchange for salvation, an answered prayer, or a blessing. We live a lifestyle worthy of glorifying God, not wanting to tarnish the name of Jesus. Here are some reasons why we absolutely must live a holy life:

 

1. We strive for a holy and blameless life because we adore him and we are grateful to him. 

Holy living is not a list of rules and outward expectations, but it is our expression of the grace he has already given to us. 2 Timothy 1:9 says, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”

 

Even after salvation there is still nothing we can do to further earn his love and affection; rather, holy living come from the love and gratitude that wells up in our heart. We do what is right because it will please our Lord.

 

Think of a person very dear to you. Most of us wouldn’t be careless with our dear one, provoke them, purposely instigate arguments, blame them for our own problems, or behave rudely or abusively. No! We want to protect them from feeling hurt; we would go out of our way to not only not do what they don’t want us to do, but certainly do what makes them happy. We would take the time to learn about them and see what makes them tick, what makes them happy, and what bothers and offends them. This is the same type of relationship that God wants with each of us; our striving for living a holy life is simply how we bolster our side of this two-way relationship. 

 

2. God expects us to strive for holiness.

We know that holiness is important to God because he himself is holy, and he requires and expects it of us. “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

 

Because God is not compatible with sin, he will make no exceptions or allowances in tolerating it. King David gave instructions for when our own consciences prick us about sin: “Tremble and do not sin; when. You are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” (Psalm 4:4)

 

When we are careless and sloppy in our Christianity, it will affect our relationship with God. Sin will always break fellowship with him. The broken relationship between God and his first friends, Adam and Eve, was the brunt of their punishment. Not even being cast out of the Garden of Eden and all the following problems could compare with the pain of losing fellowship with God.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 says, “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.” God’s expectation of us is set at a high bar: a holy life.

 

 

3. We strive for holiness out of reverence for God.

Reverence is typically not a feeling we are accustomed to nowadays. I even took the time to look up a definition: a profound sense of wonder and awe combined with a deep respect. That sounds about right for how we should approach God! 

 

Our everyday lives ought to reflect that we revere God and his instructions (the Bible) above everything else. We ought to obey all he says in the Bible, but also what the Holy Spirit instructs to us. 

 

Hebrews 11:7 talks about how “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.” Noah’s zealous obedience that came from “holy fear,” or reverence, saved his entire family and “became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.” Our reverence and obedience to God, and our holy life, will put us on an unusual path compared to those around us.

 

4. We strive for holiness now because it is our destiny.

Our future is secure. We know that we will spend an eternity living with God in perfect holiness. Ephesians 1:4 says, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”

 

By putting our faith into practice and striving for holiness, we know that the struggle we have now, remaining sinless, will no longer be a problem. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)

 

We’ve talked a lot about this intangible idea of “holiness.” Let’s now narrow the scope of the topic and define with living a blameless, holy life means for us in a practical, day-to-day practice.

 

1 Peter 1:14-16 says, “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 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.’” Once we turn our back on our old life and old way of sin, we are asked to be holy “in all you do.” 

 

This is why we spend the rest of our lives practicing holiness, because it doesn’t happen all at once. “All” means attitudes and possessions and biases. “All” is our thoughts and our purchases and our entertainment. “All” is the quality of our work and our words. “All” is how I spend or hoard money, my reactions to others, and how I spend or hoard my time. Holiness is closely linked to integrity.

 

Let’s make a categorized checklist of what is not holiness, certainly displeasing God. Ask yourself, “Do I have any of these sins?” Or excuse and justify any of these areas?

 

Idolatry - elevating anything (wealth, status, literally anything) to God’s rightful place

 

Heart Attitudes - anger, envy, greed, covetousness, selfish ambition, hypocrisy, hatred, resentment, unforgivness, discontent, complaining, critical spirit, perpetual worry 

 

Social Injustices - oppressing the vulnerable, ignoring the oppressed, cheating, lying, manipulating, slandering

 

Spiritual Rebellion - pride, unbelief, doubt of God’s promises, blasphemy against God, ignoring or excusing sin

 

Sins against my body - sexual sins, gluttony, drunkenness, not caring for God’s temple (2 Corinthians 3:16-17)

 

Perseverance in a holy and blameless life cannot be postponed. Immediate obedience is vital. 2 Peter 3:11 says, “You ought to live holy and godly lives.” Holiness is important to God. Our outward lives that people see will be the barometer of how important holiness is to us.

 

Further Reading: Romans 12, Colossians 3

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