Holiness is a common word in the world of religion. What does 'holiness' mean?

In this quadrennium, the Methodist Church in Malaysia is using the theme mooted by John Wesley, “Spreading Scriptural Holiness, Transforming the Nation” as its theme. In the next two issues of Pelita Methodist, we will be focusing on the two components of the theme – Scriptural Holiness and Transforming the Nation.

Scriptural Holiness
Holiness is a common word in the world of religion. What does ‘holiness’ mean? Many of us would think it is an ethical word – living in such a way that is ‘right’ or ‘good’. To make it Christian, we would add the phrase "according to the way and will of God". And since we use ethics, many people would then judge holiness on the lifestyle of a person. For example, one would say "he is holy because he lives righteously" or "he is unholy as his ways are evil". Thus there seems to be a certain standard that one has to achieve to be called ‘holy’.

The Bible has a very different concept of Holiness since it bases its definition mainly on God and not man. This difference comes from the fundamental assertion that the righteousness of God is not the same as the righteousness of man. Therefore what we may think is right in our eyes may not necessary be right in the eyes of God. Romans 10:3 clearly states this difference: “For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness”.

To understand the term ‘Holy’ then, we must know how it is used in the bible. “God is Holy”. This phrase is not an ethical term but rather a phrase that describes the very nature of God. James Boyce in his book ‘Foundations of the Christian Faith’ explains the term “holiness” as “the characteristics of God that sets him apart from his creation”. God is holy and there is none like Him.

Boyce goes on further to note that there are four elements in the biblical understanding of ‘Holiness".

Firstly, it is ‘Majesty’. This is the supreme attribute on the One who is above all other and it gives the idea of grandeur and ‘stateliness’. A human example to this element is the Agong for Malaysians. We all know that though he may just be a symbol of power in this country, there is this elegance and dignity within him that calls us to respect and honour him. There is none like him in this country. He is our King.

Secondly, there is this element of ‘will, the will of a personality’. God wills to proclaim himself as the “Wholly Other”, whose glory must on no account be diminished because of human arrogance and wilful rebellion. This is an active definition. God is not passive. He wills and acts to see that his glory is recognised.

Thirdly, there is this element of ‘wrath’. The ‘wrath of God’ is not like human reaction to something. It is ‘the stance of God to all that oppose Him’. God will not allow anyone to oppose him or stand in His place. If we do, judgment would befall us. This includes sin. God who is Holy would never tolerate sin and he would deal with sin as it opposes his nature.

Finally there is this element of ‘righteousness’. Righteousness takes into consideration the three elements, Majesty, Will, and Wrath’ into account. In knowing who God is in his majesty and seeking his will, one then knows how to live rightly. Our lifestyle is based solely on the ways of God. There cannot be any other standard, other than that of God himself.

The Holiness of God is clearly displayed in the Bible through his interactions with the different people of the bible. Clearly in all creation there is none as majestic, powerful and sovereign as Him. And as a ‘jealous Husband’, God will not allow anyone or anything to take his place. His Holy love will do whatever He wills to protect His creation from harm.

This is our Holy God who calls us to be holy as well. We are called to live our lives as people who follow no other, who"wills" no other and who worships no other but only God Himself.

Jesus, The Example of Holiness
I am always have been intrigued by the story of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus to ask how he could obtain eternal life (Luke 18:18-30). What intrigued me most was the call of Jesus to follow him as a means of obtaining eternal life. Yes we all know Jesus as God simply because we have the advantage of history. This young ruler did not and this caused him to leave Jesus with a sorrowful heart. I sometimes would like to imagine what it would have been like if he did follow Jesus.

He would have seen the dignity of God in the life of Jesus. He would have seen how Jesus, who though had every right to be crowned King by the people did not follow the footsteps of popularity and power mongering. In obedience to God his Father and His love for all mankind, Jesus showed that there is none like Him. He willed it in his life to go the narrow path simply because that was the way of God.

In seeing this path, the rich young ruler would have seen the astute resoluteness of Jesus in following the will of the Father. He would have heard stories of the prayer of Jesus at Gethsemane. Though the path he chose was a difficult and painful path, Jesus willed in in his heart and mind that he will stick to the Father’s will.

As he would have followed Jesus, he would have had the opportunity given to Jesus’ disciples to understand the reason for his impending death. He would have understood the wrath of God in dealing with rebellion and sin. And greater to this, he would have also learnt about a love that would never let go. I can also imagine the moments he would have had hearing from Jesus in the weeks after his resurrection. He would then understand the will and plan of God from Scripture and exclaimed that Jesus is truly God.

Lastly, he would have then waited with eager expectation for the Holy Spirit promised to Jesus’ disciples. In that encounter he would have had the powerful awakening that would have given him strength and courage to live in God’s righteousness.

If only he had understood that Jesus was calling him to a life of Holiness that day when Jesus invited him to follow him!

He would have exclaimed that eternal life he longed for was life lived in Holiness.

Spreading Scriptural Holiness
The onus then is with us, Christians who have the benefit of Scripture, the revealed word of God to be holy just as how God has been revealed to us. This revelation of God is seen in greater depth in the life of Jesus our Lord who came as a man and showed the disciples God. These disciples then revealed Him to others who also spread this knowledge to others. And really, that is the reason why we are followers of this Holy God as well. Our call has to be likewise as well. We are to spread scriptural holiness to others.

We are called to live in such a way that would reveal this Holy God we worship. We are ambassadors, seeking to bring His message of holiness to all in order that people might be able to live according to His ways and His will as creator of all.

To become effective ambassadors of Christ, we need to show the world that we too are called to be holy. We need to live in such a way that would not only be different from the ways of the world but also according to the will and love of God. Our motivation should be that of living in such a way that would show the world that our God is the only true God and there is none like him. We should not just be going after worldly pursuits but to go after matters that concern God. We should also be con-cerned for the things that our God hates – people, systems and powers that seek to replace God as God. And finally we are called to live righteously in the example of our Lord Jesus Christ in order to show the world that in living this way, we find eternal life. In being this ambassador for Christ, we then light up the world with His light and bring people to glorify this Holy God we worship. May we be people that seek to spread scriptural holiness in this land that we live in.

Quick Survey on Holiness
We did an impromptu interview on holiness. Two questions were asked:
"What does holiness mean to you?" and "How do you practice it?"

"Prayer & Devotion as my daily routine"
Chang Chung Hon, Student

Close Relationship
Having quiet time and pray everyday. Obey His commandments. Honor our parents, keep away from adultery. Do communicate with God more often, having a close relationship with Him.

“Living, knowing that God is present in our lives... and living for Him!"
William Kwong, Youth Worker

With God Alone
Talk to God as a friend. Anytime and anything you want. It can be as simple as a hello or as complex as a long prayer. Meditate with the bible verses. If you don’t have time, reflect at the end of the day. During quiet time, you may want to reflect on the day whether you had carried our Christ-like living. In city, we have to consciously withdraw from gadgets, internet, work, and entertainment and find time to be with God alone.

“Set apart for God to use”
Margaret Khoo, Small Group Director

Quiet Time
Spend quiet time with God everyday, read and meditate scriptures, seek His will. It is up to us, individually, that we have to take the initiative to have quiet time. Have your quiet time early in the morning. If you can’t wake up early, have it at night time. We have to set ourselves apart from our busy schedule. Put our yoke on God, and we follow His ways and guidance.

By Michael William