I was recently asked my thoughts on ‘holiness’ and what it means to be a ‘holy person‘ and thought I’d share my view on this topic.
The way I see it, holiness means ‘to be set apart‘ and that’s what happened the day I entered into Christ, God set me apart from the old creation, making me a new creation that is eternally united with Jesus
So, I’m holy not because I reached some kind of moral mountain top or humbled my flesh more than others, but rather it is simply because God has set me apart into his Son. The reality is that everyone who is in Jesus is holy, and if we are holy in Jesus, then why would we possibly think we can become ‘more holy’ by acting humble or doing anything else for that matter?
The religious understanding of holiness always refers to man’s work, but God’s understanding of holiness always refers to Christ’s work that was completed on our behalf!
The Apostle Paul put it best when he said: “It is because of God that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30
It’s an amazing revelation to rest in – you’re holiness is not defined by your actions, but by the person you are now living in! Jesus is your holiness, and you are set apart in him as holy to the Lord.
Next time someone asks you to define “Holiness”, just answer with “Jesus!” He is the definition of holiness, and by the working of God’s grace he has become our holiness too!
Jesus is the only one who could ever be considered ‘holy’ by his actions, and through his grace he made us all partake in his holiness by including us in his very own life!
“Both the one(Jesus) who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.” Hebrews 2:11
So in closing, may I just say, if you are in Christ, then you can rest in assurance and confident that you are without a doubt, 100% holy 
Interesting take on holiness. If we were able to become holy on our own, then why would Jesus be necessary . . .
I love this explanation of holiness. What Jesus did on the cross truly is a finished work.
Thank you for pointing out our need to "rest" in His finished work…. it's changed my life! Thank you, Jesus!
True Mick – interesting thing, we cannot become holy, since we have already been made holy. So, once something has achieved, it cannot continue to strive towards…Holiness is being set apart, it is all these things, but we need to stop trying to become and accept the fact that we are…