Holiness

One of, if not the most misunderstood words among Christians is the word “holiness.” Not only today, but in past years, it has been both misused and abused. Some believe it to mean sinless perfection; but that cannot be, for holiness is associated with places and things, as well as people. And Paul tells us to, “[Perfect] holiness.” That is, you can improve on it.

The Bible is its own interpreter, dictionary, and commentary, as well as being self-corrective (typographical errors, etc.). We are told in Luke 2:23, “As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.” When we look up the reference in Ex.13:2 and12, we find these words, “Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, [both] of man and of beast: it [is] mine.” Verse 12, “Thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be] the LORD'S.” Note matrix is also interpreted.

Without going to the Hebrew or Greek, we find holy, sanctify, and set apart, are all synonymous. And all three have to do with ownership, “It is mine...[it] shall be the LORD’S.” A Pharisee was more separated than say, Simon; but the former was not holy, he did not belong to the Lord. The question of holiness is not what you do or don’t do; it’s does He own you?

Many separatist boast of things they’ve given-up for the Lord, who has never given-in to the Lord!