Why Does God Want Us to Be Holy?

When you hear the word "holy," what comes to mind?

Many people think holiness means perfection. But the Bible paints a different picture.

In this episode of FaithFuel, Bob Shaw explains what holiness really means, why God calls His people to be holy, and how living a holy life flows from belonging to the God who created us.

Discover why God's call to holiness isn't about earning His approval—it's about becoming the person He created you to be.

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Transcript

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When I hear the word holy, I think a lot of us picture something the Bible never intended. I'm Bob Shaw, and this is Faith Fuel. What comes to mind when you think of the word holy? Well, for a long time I pictured someone who never seemed to make mistakes, who always had the right answer, who spent hours every day reading the Bible and praying. In other words, not me. But as I spent more time reading Scripture, I discovered that the word holy just means set apart, devoted to God, belonging to Him. That's a far cry from trying to be perfect, isn't it? But now that we know what holiness means, it kind of raises another question. Why does God want us to be set apart? Why does He want us to belong to Him? I believe the answer begins with the fact that God is our creator. For example, picture a car manufacturer. The people who designed it know exactly how it was made to function. They know what kind of fuel it needs, how it performs best, and what will eventually damage it. Why? Because they designed it. Well, God designed us too. He knows what human life looks like when it's lived the way he created it. That's why he calls us to be holy. As we grow closer to him, he shapes us into the people he created us to be. Peter wrote, But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. The more I follow Jesus, the more I realize his commands aren't random. When he tells us to forgive, to be honest, to love our neighbors, he's teaching us how life works best. The more we follow him, the more our lives begin to reflect the one who created us. Maybe that's the best way to think about holiness. It isn't about pretending to be perfect. It's about belonging to God and allowing him to shape us into the people he created us to be. Lord, thank you for creating us, loving us, and calling us to belong to you. Help us understand that your call to holiness is an invitation to become more like Christ. Continue shaping our hearts and our lives so that we reflect your character each day. In Jesus' name. Amen. The God who created you knows exactly who He created you to become. If Faith Fuel has been an encouragement to you, I'd love for you to follow the podcast. New episodes are available every weekday, and I'd love to have you join me again. I'm Bob Shaw. Peace and joy.