[This is my second post of three in my “Vintage Wednesday” series on “Defining Holiness,” re-written/updated from a blogpost back in March of 2011.]

Last week I stated that holiness in the Hebrew context connoted dedication or devotion to a particular purpose. Anything that comes between us and God (“idolatry”) is unholy since it robs us of our wholehearted devotion to God. In the Greek context, “separation” is emphasized with connection to the idea of “God-likeness”. It's with concern for this latter definition that I would like to focus my attention today. 

In the beginning, God created us in His image. This means that we were designed to create, and in a sense—to be like God. This shouldn't be confused however with the satanic obsession many have had throughout the ages of attempting to be God (Lucifer's original sin from which all other sins have flowed). Rather, we were made for God to inhabit us—Christ's righteousness to envelope us—so that we might be sanctified for every good and creative work in restoring a broken planet. When sin, corruption, and destruction become the earth's norm, our holiness counteracts to fulfill God's restorative purposes for His ultimate glory.

God's intention was for a world of harmonious relationships; God with man, man with man, and man with creation. Because of the redemptive work of Christ, we become “little Christs” (Christians) to recreate a world where humanity once again can “walk with God in the garden,” as Adam and Eve once did. This is true holiness.

If one has been redeemed, he or she has a passion to create, to bring redemption into his or her sphere of influence. On the other hand, if one has simply “prayed the prayer,” is indulging in idolatry (serving self, pleasure, and anything other than God), or is simply waiting around for heaven to show up; he or she has only pursued “fire insurance” and does not understood personal holiness. 

One could even question whether or not that person will be ultimately saved considering the Apostle Paul's words, “to work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Remember that in the same breath, Paul reminded us that we must work it out since God is working in and through us “to fulfill His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).

So what do you believe about personal holiness? I realize that God must ultimately make us holy by remaking us in his image—but what does it look like for you to pursue holiness as stated in Hebrews 12:14?