Review:

Holiness comes from a Hebrew root which means "to set apart, to separate, to divide one thing from another."

A holy person is one who is divided from other persons, that is, divided in the sense of being marked off, set apart, separated from others

Holiness is used in two ways in the Scripture:

(1) Non-moral aspect: Here we have the idea of the Greatness of God. He is separate from His creation. He is a Holy God and that quality makes Him unique. The idea is that He is incomparable.

Non-moral aspect - God is Holy means God is incomparable.

(2) Moral aspect: God is separate from sin, He is free of sin, of defect, of impurities of any kind. Here we have the idea of the goodness of God. God is incorruptible.

Principles

Principle #1: It is the perfection of God that He delights in the most. It is this characteristic of divine perfection that he calls special attention to, which is most valued by Him, and His constant reference to it indicates it is the attribute of His preference.

Principle #2: Holiness is the guardian of the essence of God. Here is the idea that God is incorruptible, incapable of error, or free of any sin or defect. Holiness is the quality of God being perfect.

Principle #3: When God is present at certain places, those places become Holy places.

Whatever our God sets apart as unto Himself that becomes holy, that is, it is different, distinct and unique from the common or ordinary.

Seventh day was Holy. God said the seventh day was to be devoted to Him. It was no longer to be counted common or ordinary. It is set apart. It is marked out. It is dedicated and consecrated to the worship of the Lord. It is to be unlike any other day. It is holy.

The Bible is called Holy Scripture. It is different, distinct and unique among books. The Bible is inspired of God. It is unique and in a class by its own.

Principle #4: The things that belong to God are called holy.

We belong to God, we are called holy ones.

When the Bible declares that you are holy it means that you have been given a different, distinct or unique design and destiny by God. You have been divided out from among other persons

The Christian is to be different, distinct and unique in their value system, character, lifestyles and practices. We have a holy position, we are to become holy

1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

 God comes to us as a Holy God and He deals with us as a Holy God.

Ps 145:17 "The Lord is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works."

We notice that righteousness and holy are terms which go together.

Deuteronomy 32:4,5 The Lord is said to be: The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.

Now notice His ways are "just". Righteous and just are words used combination with holiness. Whether we are talking about His creating the universe or providing salvation or blessing us on a daily basis, all God's acts are Holy, righteous, and just. These go together. They impact upon how God works.

Five principles which explain the gospel.

1. Righteousness is the attribute which sets the standard of what is right and what is wrong, good or evil, immoral or moral, truth from false, light from darkness. It is the attribute of perfection. From perfect character comes God's perfect works.

Homosexuality is sinful. Today it is called an alternative lifestyle. When I condemn rather than condone this I am censored. It goes something like this? You have no right to force your personal views on others. Heterosexuality and homosexuality are choices which are amoral, morally neutral.

They are right and wrong. My personal views should never be forced or imposed upon another. However, this view of Homosexuality is not my view, it is God's view. God says something are right and some things are wrong and homosexuality is not neutral it is immoral. There are standards of right and wrong conduct. Murder is wrong. Stealing is wrong.

So those who cry unfair that we must accept homosexuality as not wrong or immoral behaviour would try to convince a person who is attempting to murder them that that would be wrong. You should not impose your will upon another.

2. Righteousness is the standard upon which sin is determined. God's own Person becomes the measure so that anything that is unlike God is sin. Anything that is opposed to God's will is sin. Sin is the violation of the righteousness of God. Because God is Holy only that which conforms to His Holiness is good, perfect, and acceptable to Him.

Romans 3:10 "There are none righteous no not one."

Romans 3:19 "All the world is guilty before God." All have violated His perfect standard. None conform to His righteousness

Roman's 3:23 "All have sinned and fallen short (missed the mark, failed to measure up to his perfection) . . . "

God is righteous, and He cannot lower his standards. He cannot overlook sin, ignore sin, close his eyes to sin, or pretend that sin does not exist. Man has failed to meet the perfect standard. He has failed to conform to the perfect righteousness of God.

3. Whenever the righteous standards of God are violated the justice of God is activated. God must condemn the sinner, John 3:36; Romans 6:23.

4. However, instead of destroying the human race, God Himself came to earth, took upon Himself our sins and was judged in our place. On the cross Jesus satisfied the justice of God by being judged for our sins and now God is free to express His love for us. Romans 5:8.

5. This is summed up in the words of John 3:16 "For God so loved the World that He gave (the judgement of the cross) His only begotten son (Jesus Christ) that whosoever believes in Him will not perish (condemnation is removed) but have everlasting life."

When we study the principles that are involved in providing our so great salvation we see the Holiness of God at work. Righteousness and justice are the attributes of holiness.