Holy is defined as “something dedicated or consecrated to God; sacred.” Although the word is almost exclusively used in religious settings, it isn’t necessarily limited to religious things. Ultimately, holiness is reserved for something set apart from the regular or normal for the purpose of reflecting on something highly esteemed. Psalms 99:9, “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.”
Therefore, we must be careful not to assume that just because it’s done in a church building, or in the name of Jesus, that it fits the criteria of Holy. Holiness has more to do with a deep genuine relationship than ritualistic actions. Jesus helped the woman at the well (John 4) understand that when she asked, "Which place was more holy?" He described to her the kind of people that God is looking to be in a relationship with. He said, “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (4:23)
How would you describe your ‘seeking process’? Are God’s desires highly esteemed in your eyes? Within Jesus’ answer, He points to the way through which God has made pleasing worship available—through Jesus (John 14:6, Hebrews 11:6), but within His words, He also describes a heart that is eager to love God, passion in devotion to Him, and in a way that aligns with who God is and what pleases Him.
Consider this passage from Rom 12 as a description of what Holiness really looks like, and how that display of Holiness is, at least in part, a good definition of what it means to worship him in Spirit and in truth. Rom 12:9-12, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord…”
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