Living Out God's Holiness in Everyday Tasks and Actions

Holiness, in its highest sense, belongs to God alone ^[1]. However, Christians are called to live out God's holiness in their daily tasks and actions, reflecting His character in their conduct ^{[1, 4]}. This call to holiness is not merely an outward observance but an internal transformation that impacts all aspects of life ^[9].

The Bible frequently commands believers to be holy, as seen in passages like Leviticus 11:45 and 1 Peter 1:15-16, which state, "You shall be holy, for I am holy" ^[4]. This divine standard means that God's own character serves as the model for human holiness ^[4]. Jesus Christ is also presented as a standard for holiness, with believers encouraged to conform to His image and follow His example ^[4].

Living out God's holiness involves several key aspects:

Righteousness and Piety: Holiness encompasses both acts of piety toward God and justice among people ^[9]. Luke 1:75 speaks of serving God "in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives" ^[2]. This suggests that holiness is not confined to specific religious acts but permeates one's entire existence ^[9].
Conscience Void of Offense: The Apostle Paul exercised himself "to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men always" (Acts 24:16) ^[3]. This pursuit of a clear conscience indicates a commitment to ethical conduct and integrity in all interactions.
Glorifying God: A primary way to live out holiness is by glorifying God in all actions ^[6]. This includes praising Him, relying on His promises, and doing all things to His glory ^[6]. The holiness of God is a reason for His people to glorify Him ^{[6, 11]}.
Diligence in Christian Conduct: Holiness requires diligence in various areas of Christian conduct, such as believing God, fearing Him, loving Him, and obeying His commands ^{[7, 8]}. It also involves following Christ's example, living righteously, and striving for perfection ^{[7, 8]}. This includes diligence in seeking God, obeying Him, and cultivating Christian graces ^[8].
Sanctification as a Gradual Process: Personal holiness is described as a "work of gradual development" ^[1]. It is part of sanctification, which is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the believer's entire nature increasingly under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration ^[5]. This process extends to the whole person and aims for perfection ^[5]. Despite hindrances, believers are admonished to be watchful, prayerful, and persevering in this journey ^[1].
Impact on Everyday Life: The call to holiness extends to all aspects of life, not just religious duties. For instance, early Christians were noted for their daily attendance at public worship, demonstrating their commitment to God in their regular routines ^[10]. The truths of Scripture, including the doctrine of Christ's second coming, should motivate believers to pursue purity and godliness in their "whole conversation" ^[12]. This means that knowledge of divine truths should lead to practical godliness ^[12].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Holiness — In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24). (See [280]SANCTIFICATION.)”
Luke “Luke 1:75 (BSB) — in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.”
Acts “Acts 24:16 (YLT) — and in this I do exercise myself, to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 1:75: In holiness and righteousness,...., Not in mere outward rites and legal ceremonies but as the saints serve, from principles of righteousness and true holiness; in which the new man is created, and of which the kingdom of God, or spiritual and internal religion consists; so in acts of piety and devotion towards God, and justice among men, which is the substance of the perfect and acceptable will of God: before him; it is one thing to serve the Lord with an outward appearance of holiness and righteousness before men, and another thing to be righteous before God, and to ”
Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 5:42: Daily in the temple - That is at the hours of morning and evening prayer; for they felt it their duty to worship God in public, and to help others to make a profitable use of the practice. Every man that professes Christianity should, in this respect also, copy their conduct: nor can any man be considered to have any religion, let his sentiments be what they may, who does not attend on the public worship of his Maker. They ceased not to teach and preach Jesus - Far from desisting, they became more zealous, yea, incessant, in their work. They took advantage of the publ”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 97:12: Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous,.... In the word of the Lord, as the Targum; in Christ, the essential Word, in his person, the greatness, glory, and fulness of it; in his righteousness, and in salvation by him, and that always; see Phi 4:4, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness; of his essential holiness, as a divine Person, in which he is glorious, and which appears in all that he has done; and of the holiness of his nature and life, as man and Mediator, which are imputed to his people for their justification; and at the remembrance of that holiness”
2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 3:11: The apostle, having instructed them in the doctrine of Christ's second coming, I. Takes occasion thence to exhort them to purity and godliness in their whole conversation: all the truths which are revealed in scripture should be improved for our advancement in practical godliness: this is the effect that knowledge must produce, or we are never the better for it. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. Seeing all these things must be dissolved, how holy should we be, that are assured of it, departing from and dying to sin, that has so corrupted and”

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