The Laws of Holiness: "Be Holy, For I am Holy"

The Laws of Holiness: "Be Holy, For I am Holy"

The divine command, "Be ye holy; for I am holy," reverberates throughout the Holy Scriptures, serving as a foundational principle for God's people. First proclaimed to Israel through Moses in the wilderness, as recorded in the book of Leviticus 11:44, this injunction is not merely an ancient decree but a timeless mandate that reveals the very nature of God and His expectation for those who bear His name. It is a call to align our character and conduct with the perfect purity of our Creator, setting us apart from the world and unto Him. This article will explore the profound implications of this command, tracing its roots in God's intrinsic holiness, its manifestations in the Old and New Testaments, and its practical application for believers today.

God's Intrinsic Holiness: The Foundation

The call to holiness originates not in human merit or aspiration, but in the immutable character of God Himself. He is supremely holy, utterly separate from sin, and perfect in all His ways. This is not merely an attribute among others, but the very essence of His being, encompassing His righteousness, justice, purity, and truth. The seraphim in Isaiah 6:3 cry, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." Similarly, in the New Testament, the four beasts before the throne in Revelation 4:8 ceaselessly declare, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

God's holiness means He is distinct and transcendent, untainted by the imperfections of creation. It is His glory and His standard. When He commands His people to be holy, He is inviting them to reflect His own divine nature, to participate in His separateness from evil, and to embody His moral perfection in the world. This is not a humanly achievable feat in our own strength, but a gracious invitation to be conformed to His image by His power.

Old Testament Manifestations of Holiness

In the Old Testament, the concept of holiness permeated every aspect of Israelite life, manifesting in ceremonial, moral, and social laws. These laws were designed to teach a people how to live in covenant relationship with a holy God in a fallen world.

Much of the Pentateuch, particularly Leviticus, is dedicated to laws concerning ritual purity, sacrifices, and the tabernacle. These were not arbitrary rules but object lessons designed to impress upon Israel the absolute necessity of approaching a holy God with reverence and atonement.

For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Leviticus 11:44

The elaborate system of sacrifices, the clean and unclean distinctions, the consecration of priests, and the sanctity of the tabernacle (and later the temple) all pointed to the need for purification and separation. They taught that sin defiles and separates from God, and that only through prescribed means of atonement could one draw near to Him. These external rituals foreshadowed the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Christ.

Beyond rituals, God's holiness demanded a corresponding moral purity from His people. The Ten Commandments, for instance, are a foundational expression of God's moral law, reflecting His character of love, truth, and righteousness. Prohibitions against idolatry, murder, adultery, theft, and false witness were direct applications of God's holy nature to human conduct.

Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

Leviticus 19:2

This command was immediately followed by a series of ethical injunctions concerning reverence for parents, keeping the Sabbath, avoiding idolatry, and loving one's neighbour (Leviticus 19:3-18). This demonstrates that holiness was not merely about ritual purity but about righteous living in all relationships – with God and with fellow humans.

The Old Testament laws extended holiness into seemingly mundane aspects of daily life, including dietary restrictions, clothing, agriculture, and even sexual conduct. These laws served to distinguish Israel from surrounding pagan nations, reinforcing their identity as a peculiar people set apart for God. They taught a holistic view of holiness, where every facet of existence was to be brought under God's dominion and consecrated to Him.

New Testament Fulfillment and the Call to Christ-like Holiness

While the Old Testament laws established the principle of holiness, the New Testament reveals its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and its application through the power of the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant does not abolish the call to holiness but elevates it to a deeper, more profound level rooted in an internal transformation.

Jesus Christ is the perfect embodiment of holiness. He lived a sinless life, fulfilling all righteousness and perfectly reflecting the Father's holiness. His sacrifice on the cross provided the ultimate means for humanity to be reconciled to a holy God and to be made holy themselves.

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Peter 1:15-16

Through faith in Christ, believers are declared righteous and holy in God's sight (justification). This imputed holiness is the basis for an ongoing process of practical holiness (sanctification), enabled by the Holy Spirit.

In the New Covenant, holiness is not primarily achieved through external adherence to a legal code, but through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit works within believers to transform their hearts, renew their minds, and enable them to live lives pleasing to God.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Sanctification is a progressive work, a lifelong journey of growing in Christlikeness. It involves putting off the old man with his sinful desires and putting on the new man, created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24). The Spirit empowers believers to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, bearing the fruit of righteousness.

The New Testament epistles provide abundant guidance on practical holiness, emphasizing its impact on every area of life:

• Moral Purity: Fleeing sexual immorality, covetousness, and all forms of uncleanness (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; Ephesians 5:3-4; Colossians 3:5-8).
• Righteous Speech: Speaking truth, avoiding corrupt communication, gossip, and bitterness (Ephesians 4:29-31).
• Transformed Minds: Not being conformed to this world, but being transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2).
• Love and Relationships: Loving God and neighbour, demonstrating humility, forgiveness, and compassion (Colossians 3:12-14).
• Separation from Worldliness: Not loving the world or the things in the world, but living distinctly as pilgrims and strangers (1 John 2:15-17). This does not mean isolation, but maintaining a distinct character and set of values.

The call to holiness in the New Testament is therefore not merely adherence to external rules, but a radical transformation of the heart that expresses itself in righteous living, empowered by the Spirit, and motivated by love for God and His glory.

Living a Holy Life: A Practical Application

For the believer today, the command "Be holy, for I am holy" remains a central calling. It is a lifelong pursuit, enabled by God's grace, and essential for a vibrant relationship with Him.

Conclusion: The Blessed Hope of Holiness

The call to holiness is not a burden but a blessed privilege. It is an invitation to share in the very character of God, to reflect His glory to a watching world, and to prepare ourselves for eternal fellowship with Him. While complete holiness will only be realized in glory, the pursuit of it in this life is vital for our spiritual health and witness.

As believers, we are called to be distinct, set apart, and consecrated to the Lord. This ongoing journey of sanctification, empowered by the Holy Spirit and guided by God's Word, brings us closer to Him and fulfills the divine mandate: "Be ye holy; for I am holy." May we, by God's grace, strive daily to answer this call, bringing glory to His most holy name.