The holiness of God is one of His most defining attributes. To be holy means to be set apart, distinct, pure, and utterly unique. No one and nothing in creation can compare to His majesty, righteousness, and perfection. Holiness is not just one of God’s characteristics—it is who He is.
The Bible repeatedly declares God’s holiness:
“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11)
“There is none holy like the Lord, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2)
When we talk about the holiness of God, we are referring to both His absolute purity and His total separateness from creation.
God’s Holiness: Set Apart From Creation
God’s holiness is what makes Him separate from His creation. Unlike humans, He is not bound by weakness, sin, or limitation.
“For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror.” (Hosea 11:9)
Because He is the Creator, everything and everyone is beneath Him. Nothing in heaven or earth can be compared to His holiness.
“To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One.” (Isaiah 40:25)
Even the angels recognize His absolute distinction. In the throne room of heaven, they cry out:
“And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!’” (Isaiah 6:3)
Notice that the angels do not say “love, love, love” or “just, just, just.” They say “holy, holy, holy.” This repetition emphasizes that God’s holiness is the defining aspect of His nature.
God’s Holiness: Absolute Moral Purity
Holiness also refers to God’s moral perfection. He is entirely pure, without sin, and without any hint of corruption.
“God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)
Because of His holiness, He cannot tolerate sin. Unlike man, He is completely righteous in all He does.
“You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.” (Habakkuk 1:13)
This is why sinners cannot stand before a holy God apart from His mercy. When Isaiah saw a vision of God’s throne, his immediate response was fear and conviction:
“Woe is me, for I am undone! Because 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.” (Isaiah 6:5)
Isaiah recognized his own sinfulness in contrast to God’s holiness. The presence of a holy God exposes all unrighteousness.
How God’s Holiness Affects Mankind
God’s Holiness Demands Judgment on Sin
Because God is holy, He must judge sin. He cannot simply overlook rebellion or tolerate wickedness.
“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.” (Psalm 145:17)
His justice is an expression of His holiness. This is why sin must be atoned for—it cannot simply be ignored.
God’s Holiness Requires That We Be Set Apart
As God’s people, we are called to reflect His holiness. He commands:
“Be holy, for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16)
This does not mean we can be perfect like God, but it does mean we must separate ourselves from sin and live in righteousness.
We Can Only Approach God Through Holiness
Because God is holy, no one can stand before Him unless they are made holy as well. This is why we need Jesus Christ. Through His blood, we are sanctified and made righteous in God’s sight.
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
Without Christ, we could never enter the presence of a holy God, but through Him, we are made pure and can have fellowship with Him.
The Holiness of God in Prophecy and Fulfillment
God’s holiness is revealed throughout Scripture and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament, God’s holiness was symbolized in the temple. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year, and only with a blood sacrifice (Leviticus 16:2).
In the New Testament, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice, making a way for sinners to be made holy.
“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14)
In the future, God’s holiness will be fully revealed when He establishes His eternal kingdom.
“In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 14:21)
This speaks of a time when only the holy will dwell with God, a truth echoed in Revelation:
“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Revelation 21:27)
How Should We Respond to God’s Holiness?
Because God is holy, we should live in reverence, worship, and obedience. First, we must worship Him with awe and fear. The psalmist declares,
“Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His footstool—He is holy.” (Psalm 99:5)
Second, we must live holy lives. Since God has called us to reflect His holiness, we should walk in righteousness and flee from sin.
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Finally, we must trust in Jesus Christ, the only way we can stand before a holy God. Apart from His grace, we would be condemned, but in Him, we are made righteous.
My Final Thoughts
The holiness of God is awe-inspiring, terrifying, and beautiful all at once. It sets Him apart from all creation, revealing His perfection and righteousness. Because He is holy, He must judge sin, but because He is also merciful, He has provided a way for us to be made holy through Jesus Christ.
Our response should be worship, obedience, and a pursuit of holiness in our own lives. We are called to be set apart from the world and live in a way that reflects the character of our holy God. One day, we will stand before Him in perfect holiness, clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Until that day, may we live with reverence and honor for the One who is “holy, holy, holy.”
