Lesson No. 19 

Lesson No. 19 Holiness

According to the concept issued by several doctors in theology, it has been defined that God's holiness is not a single attribute of His but rather the combination of all His moral attributes, which constitute His total moral perfection.

To better understand the expressed idea, we will consider the concept referred to by some of these eminent theologians.

The first states that there are certain perfections that all who know God agree to attribute to Him, which have generally been called by Christian theologians as His moral perfections. These are: Goodness, Justice, Truthfulness, and Wisdom, all of which can be expressed in one word: Holiness. The second states: Goodness, Truthfulness, and Justice are moral attributes of God. Holiness is not a separate attribute from these but a name that includes them all. The third expounds that the holiness of God should not be conceived as an attribute among others but rather a general term that represents His glory and His total moral perfection. It is His infinite moral perfection crowning His infinite intelligence and power.

One of the most expressive references about God's holiness is Revelation chapter 15: verse 4, where the Scriptures express: Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.51

Let us now consider other biblical references regarding God's holiness, among which we have, for example, Exodus chapter 15: verse 11, which says the following: Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 51

Also, Isaiah, according to his prophetic revelation about the cherubim praising God, points out: And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah chapter 6: verse 3).51

There is a glory in each of His attributes, and a greater one results from the combination of them all. If we consider this combination of attributes properly, which is the sum of His moral perfections, and contemplate His glory radiating from it, we can perfectly understand the biblical idea of "the beauty of holiness".

This concept of holiness is also applicable to humans, although in limited terms. When attributing this quality to man, it is said that holiness is freedom from sin, according to the declaration of the Scriptures in Romans chapter 6: verse 22,51 as such a condition characterizes us as saints. If we consider this detail, we will find that a person possessing these four moral attributes lives in holiness. The one who practices goodness is possessed, consequently, of love, both towards God and their fellow beings, and exercises mercy and harms no one. Because they constantly desire the happiness of all creatures. If, in addition to this, they exercise justice, they will always act uprightly towards everyone. If they legitimately make use of truthfulness, they will deceive no one; and if they act with wisdom, they will not commit dishonest errors, will live in the fear of God, and will keep His commandments.

In this way, they will be free from sin and will live in holiness, according to the limit that humans can achieve. Just as our Lord demands through His Holy Word, saying:

First Peter chapter 1: verse 16: “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy”.51