Definition and Nature
God's holiness is a fundamental attribute of His divine nature, signifying His absolute purity, moral perfection, and separation from sin. The Hebrew word for holy, "qadosh," and the Greek word "hagios" both convey the idea of being set apart or distinct. God's holiness is intrinsic to His being, setting Him apart from all creation and underscoring His majesty and glory.

Biblical References
The holiness of God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing His unique and exalted status. In Isaiah 6:3, the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." This threefold repetition underscores the supreme holiness of God, a concept echoed in Revelation 4:8, where the four living creatures declare, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!"

Manifestations of Holiness
God's holiness is manifested in His actions and His law. In Leviticus 11:44, God commands His people, "For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, because I am holy." This call to holiness reflects God's desire for His people to mirror His moral purity and distinctiveness. The holiness of God is also evident in His judgments against sin, as seen in the account of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-3, where their unauthorized offering results in their death, demonstrating that God's holiness cannot tolerate disobedience.

Holiness in Worship
The holiness of God demands reverence and awe in worship. Psalm 96:9 exhorts, "Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth." The tabernacle and later the temple were designed with specific instructions to reflect God's holiness, with the Most Holy Place being the innermost sanctuary where God's presence dwelt, accessible only to the high priest once a year (Hebrews 9:7).

Holiness and Redemption
God's holiness is central to the narrative of redemption. The sacrificial system in the Old Testament, with its emphasis on purity and atonement, points to the necessity of holiness in approaching God. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies the holiness of God, living a sinless life and offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 7:26 describes Jesus as "holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens."

The Believer's Call to Holiness
Believers are called to reflect God's holiness in their lives. 1 Peter 1:15-16 instructs, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness is both a privilege and a responsibility, enabled by the indwelling Holy Spirit who sanctifies and empowers believers to live in accordance with God's will.

Holiness and the Church
The church, as the body of Christ, is called to be a holy community, set apart for God's purposes. Ephesians 5:25-27 speaks of Christ's love for the church, "to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless." The church's mission is to uphold and proclaim the holiness of God in a fallen world.

Eschatological Holiness
In the eschatological vision, God's holiness will be fully realized and acknowledged by all creation. Revelation 15:4 declares, "Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed." The ultimate consummation of God's holiness will be evident in the new heaven and new earth, where His presence will dwell with His people eternally.