Holiness

Holiness is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting the nature and character of God. The Hebrew word for holiness, "qodesh," and the Greek word "hagios," both convey the idea of being set apart, sacred, or consecrated. Holiness is intrinsic to God's nature, as seen in passages like Isaiah 6:3, where the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth."

God's holiness is the standard for His people. Leviticus 19:2 commands, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.'" This call to holiness is reiterated in the New Testament, as 1 Peter 1:15-16 states, "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.'"

Holiness involves moral purity and separation from sin. The Israelites were given laws and rituals to maintain holiness, emphasizing the need for purity in worship and daily life. The sacrificial system, detailed in Leviticus, underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement to approach a holy God.

In the New Testament, holiness is achieved through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to live holy lives, empowered by the Spirit, as seen in Romans 12:1, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

Access to God

Access to God is a profound privilege granted to believers through Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, access to God was limited and mediated through the priesthood and the sacrificial system. The Most Holy Place in the tabernacle and later the temple was where God's presence dwelt, and only the high priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).

The New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, has opened the way for direct access to God. Hebrews 10:19-20 declares, "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body."

This access is not based on human merit but on the finished work of Christ. Ephesians 2:18 states, "For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit." Believers are invited to approach God with confidence, as Hebrews 4:16 encourages, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Prayer is a primary means of accessing God, and believers are encouraged to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit also assures believers of their access to God, as the Spirit intercedes for them (Romans 8:26-27).

In summary, holiness and access to God are deeply interconnected. Holiness is both a requirement and a result of having access to God, made possible through Jesus Christ. Believers are called to live holy lives, reflecting God's character, while enjoying the privilege of direct communion with Him.