What is holiness, really? Is being holy just a stodgy idea for people who never realized that “we aren’t in the 1500’s anymore, Dorothy?” Or is it actually something truly magnificent and beautiful – and glorious? In response, God has already said, and he is all of those things; magnificent and beautiful AND Glorious – and holy is who is (esv, kjv). So it must not be boring. It must be like him. And so we, in learning about it, can learn more about him; but then again, there is the other way around; getting to know HIM we get to know what is truly good and awesome and in getting to know him, is all other good and joy. In him is delight and fountains of joy that never end. He is who he is. Holy – “set apart”- is who he is, and in his unique place he is able to address our unique need through his strength and his grace – in him is freedom from despair (niv, Macarthur). Really, safety is in him, the rock and fortress of our souls – from here we can fight and stand and delight in him (niv, kjv, Macarthur)! And from that delight we can see his light and be equipped to share it with others who have sat in the darkness, so they can come into the light – but how? How can we stand in his burning brightness of holiness? Only through being cleansed and covered through with the spotless lamb of God. Then our hearts are clean and free. And our vision is clear and our sight is restored. Eyes are renewed. The Light brings us into the Light until we stand in Endless Day. We will see him as he is and rejoice that we have been made perfect – complete – like him and in him. Like him we will continue to reflect the light and glory of the King of Kings. Forever.

~ Emily Winslow Cox

Works Cited.

Macarthur, John. Set apart by God: our privileges in Christ. https://www.masters.edu/thinking_blog/set-apart-by-god-our-privileges-in-christ, accessed 14 July 2025.

King James Version.

English Standard Version. Good news publishers, Crossway bibles, 2001.

NiV. Biblica 2011. Blueletterbible.