Generally, when we think of someone being "holy" we think in terms of a monk in a cloistered environment... replete with a shaved head, beanie cap, long brown robes with a suffering look on his face.
One extreme might look like this: A monk claims to be living a strict of life following Jesus, so he breaks fellowship with the world, begins to live a life of seclusion, then claims martyrdom [kills himself], because no one likes him.
This is not the picture the world should see when it looks at the Christian. Often, because Christians want to please the Lord and live a godly life they are accused of having a "holier than thou" attitude toward others, non-christians. The world misunderstands the Christian who is trying to live right and condemns him by saying he thinks he is better than other people.
Another extreme is the idea that a person who is holy walks around all day, smiling, making religious statements, humming, mumbling, glowing with a halo above their heads... totally unlike normal people.
No question about it, we surely ought to live clean and godly lives which is indeed a sign of holiness, but a Christian knows he is no better than any one else. The bumper sticker we often see says it well: "Christians are not perfect, they are just forgiven."
Some denominations and Christian sects wear different clothes, no make up, comb their hair in a particular way, and generally try to look plain and think that makes them [look] holy. There are even churches who promote "standards" such as dress codes and rules to live by for their members, and those who come to visit their church. There is nothing wrong with godly standards, but often they are taken to the extreme and are substituted for genuine Christian living. Christian living begins in the heart, not the closet.
Consider this paradox... You are searching for a church, possibly to fellowship with, you find one near your home... Across the entrance of the front door of the church you have decided to visit is a sign saying, "No long hair or women in pants." The message is clear... if a lost man with long hair came to that church he would not be welcome, or a lost woman wearing long pants, she too would not be welcome. Well, you have a predicament... You have long hair, maybe even a pony tail, and your wife feels more comfortable in women’s pants. Advice...? Turn tail and run... look for another church! That is the same philosophy the Pharisees had in Jesus's day.
Some sincere churches, misunderstand what the Lord meant when he told Christians not to be conformed to the world. (Romans 12:2) Wearing black clothes, or a particular type of dress, having a certain pious look, does not make one holy.
Biblical holiness is a state of the heart, in devotion to God which controls the believer's life and directs a person to "abstain from even the appearance of evil." (1 Thess. 5:22)
We need to know without confusion what it means to be holy! Being Holy is an attitude of the heart. One does not become holy by looking a certain way or dressing up the outward appearance or even displaying odd or unusual actions.
The Biblical definition of Holy is best summed up in understanding the meaning of the Greek word "Hagios" which simply means to be "separated” something that is consecrated to God.
Humans living in a sinful world, cannot be holy in the sense of perfection. People and things are not "holy" within themselves, but become holy when they are dedicated and set apart for service unto the Lord. When a person commits their life to Christ, following the plan of salvation, you are setting yourself apart from the sin-filled world, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform your mind and heart, so you may be useful in the service of God.
Humans living in a sinful world, cannot be holy in the sense of perfection. People and things are not "holy" within themselves, but become holy when they are dedicated and set apart for service unto the Lord. When a person commits their life to Christ, following the plan of salvation, you are setting yourself apart from the sin-filled world, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform your mind and heart, so you may be useful in the service of God.
Maybe this illustration will help clarify what it means to be holy. Consider the gold in the Ark of Covenant: It was holy only once it was placed in the tabernacle and dedicated to God. It had no moral qualities. It was nothing more than a valuable metal until it was refined and used to adorn the Ark in service to the Lord.
What made it HOLY? It was totally “separated” to service for the Lord. It was used for nothing else and no longer could it be used in any other way. Being holy, comes from an “attitude of the heart” toward our relationship in our lives to God.
Being holy is to be dedicated to the Lord. If we truly make the commitment to live for the Lord we will seek to do what is necessary to carry it out. We will make every decision considering how it effects our "belonging" to God. The Christian will see himself as God's instrument, His possession, and will do everything possible to keep themselves free from sin. The believer's commitment to the Lord will direct how he lives his life.
A person who in his heart does not see himself as totally dedicated to the Lord's service, could clean up his life, dress right, look right, talk right and act right, but still not be living a holy life. You see God tells us, "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart." (1 Sam. 16:7) God knows… God knows. God makes the request of each person who professes to be His, calling Him Lord... "Be holy as I am Holy." (1 Peter 1:16)
