Rob Witham

Holiness Is Boring

I read a provocative statement about holiness recently. The statement struck me because it cuts to the heart of a false idea we often carry about holiness.

“Holiness is not deadness; it is passion.”

There is a lot contained in that little sentence. I suspect we often view holiness in something of a negative light. In fact, just mention holiness at the next gathering you are at and watch how people respond to the word. I am not sure where this misunderstanding of the term originated but I do suspect satan enjoys perpetuating it.

Does The Bible Really Say That

Our holiness is actually a frequent subject in the Scriptures.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12.1 NRSV)

“…just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.” (Ephesians 1.4 NRSV)

“…in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5.26-27 NRSV)

“…he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him…” (Colossians 1.22 NRSV)

“Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1.15-16 NRSV)

There are just as many more passages we could consider. But we clearly see that both our calling and our identity is holiness.

• We are called to be holy, to live lives of holiness
• We are identified throughout Scripture as being holy and as saints

A Life Of Passion

Jesus himself, who we are to follow and emulate, is referred to as God’s Holy One. As we read the Gospel accounts we can hardly conclude Jesus lived a life characterized by deadness. Not at all! Jesus life was characterized by passion. The Holy One lived a life marked by passion.

To follow Jesus, to live a holy life as we are called to, is not to live a life of deadness. To follow Jesus in holiness is to live a life of passion.