How important is holiness? Isn’t it good enough just to be a loving person?
And what does it even mean to be holy?
The word itself means “set apart.” So, some have answered the question of how to be holy by removing themselves as far as possible from the world. For example, they become monks or nuns. Is that what it means to be holy?
When we look at the Bible, we see that holiness sets us apart from sinful thoughts and behaviors. So, would holiness mean submitting to a somewhat colorless life defined by “shall not” rules? Is that how we become holy?
Here’s a better way to ask the question: how does Jesus, God in the flesh and holiest of all, model for us what it means to be holy? He had 12 dudes traveling with him 24/7 and had “scum of society” hanging around him so much that the religious people accused him of being a glutton and drunkard (Matthew 9:11; 11:19; Mark 2:16; Luke 5:30; 7:34). Yet he was also somehow completely “set apart” (holy). So, what does it mean to be holy?
To underscore just how important it is to start with Jesus (and not our own definitions of holiness), let’s remember that it’s Jesus and Jesus alone that makes us holy. We don’t make ourselves holy. As Hebrews 10:10 (NIV) puts it, “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” So, what does a holy life look like for people like us? Again, we have to begin with Jesus.
“What does a holy life look like for people like us? We have to begin with Jesus.”
When we look at Jesus’ life, one of the first things we realize about Jesus’ holiness is that he was highly relational! So, holiness is not as simple as separating ourselves from sinful people. A holy life cares for and truly loves others—especially people who need our help.
Jesus’ love is not selfish like ours tends to be, where we love/care for someone because of what they can do for us. No, his love is holy—set apart—in that he loves and cares for the person because of who they are—an image bearer of God.
It’s easy to assume that holiness and love are two separate virtues which don’t overlap and which you sometimes have to make a choice between. (For example, will I keep loving this person after they have done something sinful, or will I choose to call out their sin out of holiness?) But holiness and love are actually closely connected. In the apostle Peter’s first letter, he first describes the importance of holiness for God’s people:
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:14-15, NIV)
“A holy life cares for and truly loves others—especially people who need our help.”
Then he describes how we are made holy: “You were redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19, NIV). After this, Peter explains what we do now that we have been set apart as holy:
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.” (1 Peter 1:22, NIV, emphasis added)
Did you catch the connection Peter makes between holiness and love?
We are made holy so that we can love each other well.
Peter is making sure the readers learn what he learned from Jesus: holy living as God’s children should be on full display among fellow members of God’s family, and it is seen in our love for one another.
Remember the context of what was happening for the people Peter was writing to. These followers of Jesus were suffering from those in the world. When you are being persecuted and suffering, you need a safe place to rest and be encouraged. Peter is reminding the people that they need to be that safe place for each other. 
“We are made holy so that we can love each other well.”
And they can’t be that safe place for each other without the holiness that roots out our sin and separates from it. In 1 Peter 2:1, Peter gets unequivocal on some things that will allow the forces of hell to divide the family of God and tear relationships apart. Each is inherently divisive and finds its root in an ill will (or “malice”) toward others. These traits are destructive in all relationships, especially with fellow believers. Sin divides us while Jesus is about bringing unity. Peter says to rid ourselves (separate ourselves) from the following:
- Malice – a catch-all term meaning every king of evil behavior. It can also mean antagonistic, mean-spirited, or spiteful attitudes or actions toward others.
- Deceit – trickery, manipulation, or falseness
- Hypocrisy – A hypocrite is what they would call someone in the theater because they would wear a mask to represent different characters. Being a hypocrite is pretending to be someone that you are not. Hypocrisy is doing an action that does not align with your actual heart or intention. An example would be pretending to be a friend, or doing something nice for someone when you are working behind the scenes as their enemy.
- Envy – Jealousy or coveting a longing for something God has not given you.
- Slander – This entails more than verifiably false statements. It can involve questioning or undermining authority out of envy. It is the practical outworking of envy and pride. It can include rumors, gossip, sarcasm, and undermining questions.
“These traits are destructive in all relationships, especially with fellow believers.”
Notice that many of the things listed here have to deal with our tongues. Peter references Psalm 34 later in his letter, and there are some verses in Psalm 34 that sound similar to what Peter is saying here. Notice the connection the psalmist draws between holiness, especially in our speech, and living at peace with each other.
“Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the LORD. Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.” (Psalm 34:11-14, NIV)
In a world which conditions us to see love as important but holiness as unimportant, let’s get clear on the connection between the two. Why be holy? We pursue holiness because we want to love better. Holiness separates us from the evil forces that would separate us from each other.
