Holiness is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting the very nature of God and His call to His people. In both the Old and New Testaments, God commands His followers to live holy lives—lives set apart for His purposes. The concept of holiness is often misunderstood or neglected in modern Christian thought, yet it remains a vital part of Christian doctrine and practice. Holiness is not only about moral purity but also about being devoted to God, separated from sin, and living according to God’s righteous standards.
The call to holiness is not an optional part of the Christian life but a divine mandate. The Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:16, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” This command is echoed throughout Scripture, reminding believers of God’s perfection and the standard to which they are called to strive. In this article, we will explore 21 scriptures from the King James Version (KJV) that highlight the importance of holiness, its requirements, and the blessings associated with it. Each verse serves as both a guide and a challenge to Christians striving to live lives pleasing to God.
21 Scriptures on Holiness
1. Leviticus 11:44
“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.”
In Leviticus, God speaks directly to the Israelites, commanding them to sanctify themselves and to be holy because He is holy. This concept of sanctification means to be set apart or consecrated for God’s purposes. Holiness involves living in a way that reflects God’s purity and separation from sin.
2. Leviticus 20:7-8
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you.”
This passage emphasizes the connection between holiness and obedience to God’s statutes. The act of sanctifying oneself is closely tied to following God’s commands. It is not enough to merely declare oneself holy; one must actively pursue holiness through righteous living and adherence to God’s word.
3. 1 Peter 1:15-16
“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.”
Peter’s exhortation calls believers to reflect God’s holiness in their daily lives, specifically in their conduct. The term “conversation” in this verse refers to one’s behavior or manner of life. Holiness, according to Peter, is not just about inner purity but also about external conduct that aligns with God’s character.
4. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
This scripture highlights the sacredness of the believer’s body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Holiness involves understanding that our bodies belong to God, and as such, they should be used to glorify Him. It reinforces the idea that holiness is not confined to spiritual acts alone but extends to how we live in our physical existence.
5. Hebrews 12:14
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
The writer of Hebrews underscores the essential nature of holiness in the Christian life. Without holiness, a person cannot experience the fullness of God’s presence. Holiness is not optional; it is a non-negotiable condition for a relationship with God.
6. Ephesians 1:4
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”
This passage reveals that holiness was part of God’s eternal plan for His people. Before the foundation of the world, God chose believers to be holy. Holiness is not merely an afterthought but a foundational aspect of God’s purpose for those He calls to Himself.
7. Romans 12:1-2
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Paul calls Christians to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. This speaks to the total surrender of oneself to God’s will. The renewing of the mind is a crucial aspect of this transformation, as it enables believers to reject worldly ways and embrace the holiness that God desires.
8. 1 Thessalonians 4:7
“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”
Paul reminds the Thessalonians that God’s calling is one of holiness, not impurity. Holiness is the divine purpose for every believer, and they are called to reject sin and embrace God’s standards of purity and righteousness.
9. Matthew 5:48
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls His followers to perfection, which is closely tied to holiness. While this does not mean achieving flawless behavior in every moment, it refers to a heart that is fully committed to God’s purposes and that strives to reflect His character in every aspect of life.
10. Psalm 24:3-4
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”
The Psalmist outlines the characteristics of those who can stand in God’s holy presence: clean hands, a pure heart, and a life free from deceit and pride. Holiness involves both inner purity and outward actions that align with God’s standards.
11. Romans 6:22
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
This scripture speaks of the fruit of holiness that comes when a person is freed from the power of sin. As believers serve God, they produce fruit that reflects the holiness of their new identity in Christ, and this fruit leads to eternal life.
12. Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
The grace of God teaches believers to reject sin and live in holiness. Holiness, therefore, is not about relying on human strength or effort but being empowered by God’s grace to live a transformed life, marked by righteousness and godliness.
13. John 17:17
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Jesus, in His high priestly prayer, prays for His disciples to be sanctified through God’s truth. God’s Word is the means by which believers are sanctified and made holy. The more we align our lives with the teachings of Scripture, the more we grow in holiness.
14. 2 Corinthians 7:1
“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.”
Paul urges believers to cleanse themselves from all defilement, both outwardly (flesh) and inwardly (spirit). This is a continual process of becoming more like Christ and growing in holiness.
15. 1 John 3:3
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
The hope of Christ’s return motivates believers to purify themselves and live holy lives. This passage emphasizes the role of hope in holiness. The anticipation of Christ’s return leads believers to live lives that reflect His purity.
16. 2 Peter 3:11-12
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God…”
Peter points to the second coming of Christ as a motivation for living in holiness. The realization that the world will be judged leads believers to live with godly reverence and holiness, reflecting the character of Christ in their lives.
17. 1 Timothy 2:8
“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
Paul exhorts the church to pray with holy hands—an outward expression of an inner purity. Holiness is demonstrated in a life of prayer and sincerity, devoid of anger and doubt.
18. Matthew 7:21-23
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
Holiness is not merely about external religious observance, but about doing the will of God. Jesus warns that those who only profess faith without living in obedience to God’s will will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
19. Romans 8:29
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
God’s ultimate purpose for believers is to be conformed to the image of Christ. This process of transformation is what holiness is about—growing more like Jesus in character, actions, and heart.
20. James 4:8
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
James calls for a return to purity by cleansing both hands (actions) and hearts (motives). Holiness requires not only outward righteousness but also a sincere heart devoted to God alone.
21. Revelation 22:11
“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”
This verse from Revelation presents the finality of holiness in eternity. It underscores the importance of living a holy life now, as our actions in this life set the course for our eternal destiny.
Conclusion
Holiness is not merely an outward appearance but an inner transformation that reflects the very nature of God. The Bible’s teachings on holiness call for a life of purity, devotion, and obedience to God’s will. As we examine these 21 scriptures, we see that holiness is central to the Christian life and is made possible through the work of Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and a deep commitment to God’s Word. Living holy lives is not optional for the believer; it is a command that reflects our love for God and our desire to be more like Him. May these scriptures inspire and challenge us to pursue holiness in every area of our lives.
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