1. The Definition of Holiness
The holiness of God has two aspects. First, God is transcendent, meaning He is separate from and exalted above all creation. He is not like any created thing. He dwells in unapproachable light. Second, God is morally pure, meaning He is absolutely free from sin and evil. He cannot sin. He cannot be tempted by evil. He is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. God's holiness is the sum of all His perfections. It is not one attribute among many but the attribute that colors all others. His love is a holy love. His justice is a holy justice. His mercy is a holy mercy.
2. The Thrice-Holy God
Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up. Above Him stood the seraphim, each with six wings. And one cried to another, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory." The threefold repetition of "holy" is emphatic, indicating the intensity and centrality of God's holiness. No other attribute is repeated three times in this way. The seraphim did not cry, "Love, love, love" or "Mercy, mercy, mercy." They cried, "Holy, holy, holy." Holiness is the primary attribute of God.
3. God's Holiness Demands Separation from Sin
The prophet Habakkuk declares, "You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness." God's holiness means He cannot tolerate sin. He does not merely dislike sin; He is absolutely opposed to it. His eyes are too pure to look upon evil. This does not mean God is unaware of sin, but that He cannot approve of it or look upon it with indifference. Sin is an abomination to the Lord. His holiness demands that sin be punished.
4. God's Holiness Is Manifested in His Judgment
When Nadab and Abihu offered profane fire before the Lord, fire went out from the Lord and devoured them. Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.'" God's holiness is not a passive attribute. It manifests itself in judgment against sin. The flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the plague on Egypt, the exile of Israel—all demonstrate that a holy God judges sin. He does not wink at evil or overlook transgression.
5. God's Holiness Is Manifested in His Redemption
God's holiness does not only demand judgment; it also provides redemption. Because God is holy, He can make unholy sinners holy. He does this through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Peter writes, "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'" The same holiness that demands judgment provides the means of forgiveness. Christ, the Holy One, died for sinners so that they might become the righteousness of God. The holy God justifies the ungodly through faith in His Son.
6. The Holiness of Christ
Jesus Christ is the Holy One of God. The demons recognized Him, saying, "I know who You are—the Holy One of God!" Peter declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." The angel told Mary, "Therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." Jesus is absolutely holy. He never sinned. He never was tempted successfully. He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. His holiness qualified Him to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. The Holy One died for the unholy.
7. The Holiness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
God the Father is holy. The Son is holy. The Holy Spirit is holy (the name itself declares it). All three persons of the Trinity are equally holy. The Spirit is called the Holy Spirit because He proceeds from the holy Father and the holy Son and is Himself holy. The holiness of God is not divided among the persons; each person possesses the full, infinite, eternal holiness of the one God. The triune God is thrice holy.
8. The Call for Believers to Be Holy
Peter quotes Leviticus: "Be holy, for I am holy." Believers are called to pursue holiness. This does not mean sinless perfection in this life, but it does mean a life of increasing conformity to the character of God. Holiness is not optional; it is the evidence of salvation. Paul writes, "For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness." The writer of Hebrews warns, "Without holiness no one will see the Lord." The pursuit of holiness is the pursuit of God Himself.
9. The Terror of God's Holiness for the Unbeliever
For the unbeliever, the holiness of God is terrifying. The holy God will judge sin. No sin will go unpunished. No secret evil will be overlooked. The unbeliever cannot stand before a holy God in his own righteousness, which is as filthy rags. He will be consumed by the holiness of God like a moth in a flame. The only hope for the sinner is to be clothed in the holiness of Christ through faith. Without that covering, the holiness of God is a consuming fire.
10. The Worship of the Holy God
The seraphim cover their faces and feet before the holy God. They do not look directly at His glory. They humble themselves in worship. John fell at the feet of the risen Christ as though dead. The proper response to the holiness of God is worship, awe, and reverence. Not casual familiarity, but holy fear. Not irreverent laughter, but trembling joy. Let every believer bow before the thrice-holy God, confessing his own unholiness and rejoicing in the holiness of Christ imputed to him.
Conclusion
The holiness of God means He is absolutely separate from sin, pure in character, and exalted above all creation. He cannot sin, cannot tolerate sin, and must judge sin. Yet His holiness also provides redemption, as He makes sinners holy through Jesus Christ. The seraphim cry, "Holy, holy, holy." Let every creature join their song, worshiping the holy God who alone is worthy.