HOLINESS
Holy: The sense is whole, entire, complete, sound, unimpaired.
- Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions. We call a man holy when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts. Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, godly.”
“Be ye holy; for I Am holy.” (I Peter 1) KJV
- Hallowed; consecrated or set apart to a sacred use, or to the service or worship of God; a sense frequent in Scripture; as the holy Sabbath day; holy oil; holy vessels; a holy nation; the holy temple; a holy priesthood.
American Dictionary of the English Language – Noah Webster 1828
“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. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
(I Peter 1:15-17) KJV
“Holiness is cleanness on the inside, without which no dimming of lights, or bowing in prayer, or retiring in solitude, or keeping quiet will make a person that way.
Holiness should prevail in the house of God. There truth should be the cardinal distinction and righteousness the dominant influence. God’s house would be free of corruption, worldliness, politics, pride, ostentation, respect of persons, hate and hypocrisy. Sincerity and purity should characterize those within it.
“Holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord, forever.” Psalm 93:5
Let us bear in mind we get the crowd we appeal to. Appeal to those who prefer vaudeville and that’s what you get – but not for long, for you are not good enough actors to hold them. But contrariwise, appeal to the spiritual and you get them – and their continued support, for you are appealing to the heart. Since people become like and how they worship, this is God’s plan for man:
“Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (I Chronicles 16:29)
“The church is holy – its mission is holy. Neither the church nor its mission must be confused with common things. The distinction must be clearly drawn. It is not the function of the church to entertain and educate either the young or the old. It is not the task of the church to provide leadership in a hundred worthy endeavors (commendable within themselves). The work of the church is to save the sinner, edify its members, and help the needy.
This thought is worthy of consideration. Could Nadab and Abihu have used strange fire occasionally, just so long as they didn’t make it a permanent part of the “program” to worship? ~ Farish
Eileen Light