1. Holiness Lesson 1
Holiness Is Living in Covenant with God
by Rodney N. Shaw

2. Introduction
A. Misconceptions about holiness
1. Holiness is only for special people in monasteries.
2. Holiness is not attainable by the average person.
3. Holiness is something we can attain by merely following a list of rules.
4. Holiness is a way we earn salvation.
B. The command of holiness
Hebrews 12:14: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which
no man shall see the Lord."
Leviticus 11:44: "For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify
yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy."
I Peter 1:15-16: "{15} But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy
in all manner of conversation; {16} because it is written, Be ye holy; for I
am holy."
C. Definition of holiness
1. Holiness is the state of being sacred, consecrated, set apart, or separated.
2. In practical terms, holiness is separation from the world and dedication
to God.
Holiness Is Living in Covenant Relationship with God.
A. God relates to humans through covenants.
1. A covenant is an agreement or pact entered into between two parties
(cf., suzerain/vassal treaties).
2. Scripture contains many examples of covenants.
Notes

3. a. Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:27–30; 2:15–17)
b.Noah (Genesis 9:1–13
c. Abraham (Genesis 12)
d.Moses (Exodus 19:1–24:18)
e.David (II Samuel 7:11–16)
f. New covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-40; Hebrews 8:6–13)
3. A covenant is not a prohibition on fun; it is a call to a special relationship.
4. The Book of Deuteronomy is written in the form of an ancient
covenant.
B. The essence of a covenant is separation (holiness) and exclusivity (Exodus
19:5–6; cf. Genesis 12:1–4).
C. Living in covenant meant living differently from the world around them,
i.e., living in holiness was the basis for the various laws in the Old
Testament (Deuteronomy 14:1; 21; 26:16–19; 28:9).
D. To live in covenant was one and the same as being holy.
1. "A holy nation" was one called out to be in special relationship with God.
2. Holiness was not a set of rules apart from their relationship with God;
holiness was merely them living up to the claims of the covenant.
3. By obeying the covenant, they lived in a holy way.
E. The benefit of living in covenant was a relationship with God (Deuteronomy
7:1-6; Jeremiah 11:1–4).
F. Israel wrongly thought worship could compensate for living up to their
covenant obligations.
1. Isaiah 1:11–19

4. 2. God must be worshiped according to the terms of the covenant by peo-
ple living a separated life; He must be worshiped in the beauty of holi-
ness (I Chronicles 16:29).
We Are in Covenant Relationship with God
A. We have a new and living covenant.
II Corinthians 6:14–7:1: "{14} Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light with darkness? {15} And what concord
hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
{16} And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. {17} Wherefore
come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch
not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, {18} And will be a Father unto
you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. {7:1}
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of
God."
I Peter 2:9: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who
hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
B. We have been called to live in a relationship with God.
1. A Covenant is not a prohibition on fun; it is a call to a special relationship.
2. Holiness is not about mechanically obeying rules; it is about embracing
our new life in covenant relationship with God.
3. Our attitudes, speech, dress, and choices of entertainment should
reflect the covenant, not merely satisfy our own desires.
a. What brings glory to God?
b.What pleases God?
c. What are my obligations as a result of the covenant?
4. Our worship is ineffectual outside a life which is committed to God's
covenant.
C. Conclusions
1. Being in a relationship with God has ramifications for our daily lives.
2. Living in covenant with God is fundamentally different from living out-
side of covenant.
3. We cannot merely add God to our existing lives; we must come out of
our old lives and enter into a covenant life with Him.
Next lesson: "Holiness Is Rooted in God's Gracious Election"