Becoming more like Him

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 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”. (1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV)

Holiness is one of the attributes of God, part of His essential being. His holiness is the essential difference between God and man. While we might be able to reflect God through doing holy acts, God is holiness. His holiness is an absence of evil, a perfect freedom from all evil. As humans, we are not capable of this.

In 1 John 1:5, we read that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. God is always in perfect conformity to His own character and always acts consistently with His holy character. Because He is holy, all of His actions are holy. Therefore, we can be confident that His actions toward us are always perfect and just. God can never be unfair, as being so would be contrary to His essential nature.

Because God is holy, we too are called to be holy. The Greek word translated here as conduct means manner of life, behaviour, and deportment, the manner in which a person behaves.

Of course, it’s not possible for us to be completely holy, as we are human and we sin. Nevertheless, holiness is part of our walk with the Lord and of becoming more like Him. [1]

God’s holiness demands that sin be punished… but God’s love has provided the way of redemption through Christ. - Billy Graham

[1] Anchor In Pursuit of Holiness