And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The Way of Holiness;

the unclean shall not pass over it ... but the redeemed shall walk there."   Isaiah 35:89"

HOLINESS

 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” Leviticus 19:2 

 Holiness is a lifestyle that is demanded by God.

 Paul, in 2 Cor 7:1 instructs, “beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

 Hebrews 2:14 states, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord”

 Holiness Defined: In the Old Testament the word holiness has a primary definition of pure and devoted.

 In the New Testament it fundamentally signifies separation; specifically, separation from   sin and dedication unto God.

 God is commanding His people to be holy, just as He is holy.

God is calling His people to influence their nation and their world to be holy.

 “It pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell – a full supply for all a believer wants.” 

 Yes, our God wants to “flood” us with His grace and mercy. Ask the Lord today, “Make me holy. Teach me to do Your will.”

THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE.

These attributes will serve as a measuring stick to help us determine the areas in our life that are in need of strengthening:

1.  Holy People understand that Scripture is the guide for their daily lives

“All Scripture is God breathed.”  (2 Timothy 3:16)
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”   (Psalm 1:1-2)
 Holy people love God’s Word. They can’t get enough of it. They base their lives on it. It is a part of them. They know that it has the power to protect them from all kinds of junk in life. And they share it whenever possible. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  (Ps 119:11) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”   (Col 3:16)  The study and application of the Scriptures is a habit with Holy People

2. Holy People daily seek God in prayer. (Apply A.C.T.S.) “… pray continually”  (1 Thess. 5:16)  We never quit praying.  (“Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and never become discouraged.” (Luke 18:1)  
If our lives are to be defined as “Holy” we must be a people of prayer.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  (2 Chronicles 7:14)  Why? Because prayer is our half of a life long conversation with God. It is how we develop a relationship with the Creator of the universe.

3. Unconditional devotion to Jesus Christ is a Habit with Highly Holy People

4. Holy People live each day guided by the Holy Spirit
“So I say, live by the Spirit…”; “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal 5:16,25)  To live by the Spirit means that our lives evidence that which defines the person of the Holy Spirit namely the Fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Eph 5:18)

A life defined by these traits is a life defined by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Holy People follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit even when it is contrary to their own plans.

5. Holy People are accountable to God’s house and His people (saints)
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching..”  (Hebrews 10:25)