1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

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1. The Holiness of God defined.

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Holiness is the sum of all moral excellency, to possess absolute purity of character, undefiled in any way. To be holy is to be set apart, sacred, separate, different than any other.

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Exodus 15:11 ESV

11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

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1 Samuel 2:2 ESV

2 “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

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2. The Holiness of God revealed to us.

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In His works – Psalm 145:17

In His Law – Romans 7:12

In His Prophets – Isaiah 6:1-5

In His Son – Colossians 1:15-20

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Psalm 145:17 KJV

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, And holy in all his works.

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Romans 7:12 ESV

12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

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Isaiah 6:1-5 ESV

1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

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Colossians 1:15-20 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

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3. The Holiness of God revealed through us.

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3a. Positional Holiness

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1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ESV

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

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3b. Practical Holiness

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1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

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Hebrews 12:14 NLT

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

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Ephesians 5:1 ESV

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

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Application:

God's desire for us is to see His holiness and to reflect His holiness in our life.