“You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”
God’s command in Leviticus 19:2 is echoed throughout the Bible. The call to holiness is something Jesus emphasized, and it was passed down by the leaders of the early Church:
"But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy because I am holy.'" Peter 1:15-16
"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept.” Romans 12:1
"God didn't call us to live in impurity but to live a holy life.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7
When most of us think of what it means to be “holy,” we picture perfection: living spotless lives, never messing up, always getting it right. And if that’s what holiness means, then most of us are out before we even begin.
But what if holiness isn’t about being flawless? What if it’s about being set apart—called to something greater than the life we’d choose on our own?
That’s what the Bible actually means when it calls us holy. And understanding this could change the way you see yourself, your purpose, and your relationship with God.
What Does “Holy” Mean in the Bible?
In Ephesians 1:4, Paul writes:
“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”
In the original Greek writing, the word for holy means set apart. Think of the dishes your family only brought out on holidays or the room you weren’t allowed to play in as a kid. Those things were set apart for a specific purpose.
In the same way, when you place your faith in Jesus, God sets you apart for his purpose. Holiness isn’t about being untouchable or perfect. It’s about belonging to God and letting him shape who you are and how you live.
Holiness Is About Purpose, Not Perfection
God’s goal isn’t to make you a rule-follower. It’s to make you more like Jesus.
Jesus didn’t hand out a checklist. He painted a vision for the kind of life we were created to live—a life that brings dignity to others, tells the truth even when it’s hard, gives generously, forgives freely, and resists the temptation to use people for our own gain.
Holiness means choosing to live God’s way, even when it sets you apart from everyone else around you.
- In words: Speaking life-giving words instead of insulting, belittling, or manipulating
- In conflict: Forgiving even when bitterness feels justified
That won’t always be easy. Sometimes it’ll mean saying no when everyone else is saying yes. But every time you choose to follow Jesus, you’re becoming more like the person God created you to be.
You Don’t Have to Earn Holiness—You Grow Into It
Here’s the best part: you don’t have to work your way into being holy.
When you put your trust in Jesus, God already sees you as holy and without fault. It’s not something you achieve—it’s something you grow into.
It’s like a kid trying on an oversized shirt. It already belongs to them, even if it doesn’t fit yet. As they grow, it fits more and more. In the same way, you’re already covered in Jesus. And as you follow him day by day, you grow into what’s already true about you.
You’re going to stumble. You’ll fall short. But your identity doesn’t change. You are still God’s beloved son or daughter, and he’s not giving up on you.
Holiness Is the Path to Life
Sometimes we think following Jesus will hold us back in life. But every way Jesus calls us to live—every hard choice, every act of obedience—is always for our good.
He invites us to trust that his way leads to freedom, not restriction. To flourishing, not frustration. To life, not limitation.
The world doesn’t need more perfect people. It needs people willing to forgive, love boldly, speak with honor, and keep their eyes on Jesus even when the world feels like it’s falling apart.
Where Do You Need to Live Set Apart?
Is there any area of your life where it’s time to live set apart?
Maybe it means ending a relationship that’s pulling you away from Jesus.
Maybe it means confessing something you’ve been hiding.
Maybe it means letting go of a habit that’s keeping you stuck.
It won’t always make sense to the people around you. But you weren’t made to blend in. You were made to be holy, set apart, because God’s way is always best, and he’s already called you his own.
How to Begin to Live Holy
- Read Ephesians 1:3–8 and ask God to help you see yourself the way he sees you.
- Memorize Ephesians 1:4: “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”
- Tell someone the step you feel God is asking you to take—and ask them to pray for you.
Remember, you are already holy and without fault in God’s eyes. Not because you’ve earned it—but because Jesus has already given it to you.
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