The word holy means “to set apart” or to “sanctify.” It refers to separating something out to be consecrated for a special purpose. It is not only “religious” things that may be holy, but also things that we use in our every day life. The marriage relationship is holy, set apart, sanctified by God (1 Corinthians 7:14; Ephesians 5:27). Christians of the first century greeted each other with a “holy kiss” (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:26). Christians are supposed to be holy in their personal conduct (1 Peter 1:15, 16). God Himself is a holy God (Leviticus 11:44, 19:2, 20:7) and without holiness in our life, we will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
- Leviticus 20:7 “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.”
- 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.”
- Romans 12:1 “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.”
- Ephesians 4:24: “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:7: For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
- Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
- 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.”