God gives us this command in 1 Peter 1:16: “Be holy, for I am holy.”

What does “holy” mean, and who is this holy God?

The word “holy” carries the idea of separated, set apart, and cut off. When we look at how “holy” is used in the Bible to describe God, it conveys two ideas: God is great and God is pure.

In my last blog, we looked at God’s greatness.  Today we’ll look at His goodness.

2.  God is good.  God is pure.

Psalm 145:17 (NASB)

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways…”

Habakkuk 1:13 (NASB)

“Your eyes are too pure to approve (Lit. look at) evil, and You can not look on wickedness with favor...”

1 John 1:5 (NASB)

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”

God is separate and cut off from everything sinful and evil.  He always tells the truth.  He is good and pure in everything He is and does.  He doesn’t compromise with sin and He cannot tolerate evil in His presence.

Holiness is more than just another divine attribute tacked onto a description of God; God defines holiness.  Holiness infuses every other aspect of His nature.  God is wholly love, wholly righteous, and wholly just.

What Do You Think?

Do you believe God is great?  Why do you believe that?

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