Let’s start off by defining the word holiness:
1. Definition of the word “holiness”: the quality or state of being holy, pure, righteous.
The word, as used in the Old Blood Covenant, comes from the Hebrew word
“qôdesh,” which means:
a. a sacred place or thing
b. sanctity
c. a consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing)

The word, as used in the New Blood Covenant, comes from the Greek word “haglos,” which means to be:
a. physically pure
b. morally blameless
c. religiously set aside for the service of Elohim

In the Scriptures we read that:
a. Elohim is a Spirit (John 4:24).
b. Elohim is light (I John 1:5).
c. Elohim is love (I John 4:8, 16).
d. Elohim is holy (Leviticus 19:2).

These are not qualities or characteristics of Elohim–they are the very essence of Elohim’s nature–what He is!

THE HOLINESS OF Elohim
YHWH has special angels that proclaim His holiness:
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also YHWH sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is YHWH of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:1-3).
“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him: and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, YHWH Elohim Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8).

WHY WE MUST BE HOLY
The first man was created in the image of Elohim (Genesis 1:27). It can be said that he was holy, because he was spiritually, morally, and physically pure before the fall. He had been especially set aside for fellowship with Elohim, and Elohim would come into the garden and fellowship with the man He had created. When Adam fell into sin, this beautiful fellowship came to a halt, not because Elohim did not love Adam, but because Elohim is holy, and He cannot fellowship where there is sin. This fellowship was partially restored when Elohim killed two animals, instead of Adam and Eve, thus instituting the sacrificial system.
“Behold, YHWH’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your Elohim, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).
Hab 1:13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?
Elohim did not give Israel a thousand reasons why they must be holy, (nor is He forced to do the same for us). He told Israel simply, “Ye shall be holy: for I YHWH your Elohim am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). This demand of Elohim was not to be confined to Israel, Elohim’s Old Testament assembly. Hundreds of years later, we can read what Peter wrote about being holy:
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation( behavior); Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (I Peter 1:15-16).
The strongest reason we can give why we should keep ourselves spiritually, morally, and physically pure, is simply because Elohim is holy and wants to have fellowship with us. He wants us to live as His sons and daughters. If we truly love Him, we will want to be more like Him:
“Beloved, now are we the sons of Elohim, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (I John 3:2-3).

THE HOLY NATION
When Elohim brought Israel out of Egypt, at Mount Sinai He gave them an important message:
Exo 19:4-6 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Elohim gave them further commands as to what their relationship should be with the heathen when they came into the promised land to possess it:
“Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other Elohims: so will the anger of YHWH be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. For thou art an holy people unto YHWH thy Elohim: YHWH thy Elohim hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:3-6).
Israel, Elohim’s Old Testament assembly, never attained to the holiness Elohim demanded and desired, because this kind of holiness can only come from a life that has been cleansed by the blood of YHWH Messiah, and possessed by the Spirit of the living Elohim. Thus the demands for holiness are even stronger today than before the birth of the New Testament assembly.

Elohim’s NEW TESTAMENT ASSEMBLY
Although Elohim gave Israel the law, the priesthood, and the tabernacle to help them become a holy nation, they failed miserably in that respect. The law taught them what was good and right, but they did not have the spiritual strength to keep it.
The whole problem is man’s carnal nature. Man is “born in sin . . . shapen in iniquity” (Psalm 51:5). Our own self-achieved righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The entire Old Testament is a four thousand-year history of man trying to live right, and utterly failing to do so. The law revealed to man his sins, but did not give him power to overcome them.
The time came when Elohim was ready to bring into existence a group of people who would indeed become a holy nation, the assembly of YHWH Messiah. The angel spoke to Joseph:
“Mary . . . shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name YHWH : for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
YHWH Ha Mashiach (the Messiah) came into the world in the flesh to save us from, not in our sins.
Rom 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 Elohim forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
YHWH Ha Mashiach (the Messiah) died on the cross to:
1. destroy Satan’s power over us (Hebrews 2:14-15).
2. give us forgiveness for our past sins ( I John 1:7-9).
3. give us all things that pertain unto life and righteous living (II Peter 1:3).
When we repent of our sins and are baptized in YHWH’ name, our sins are forgiven (and even erased from the memory of Elohim). But we still cannot live holy until the Holy Spirit comes in and takes control of our lives.
The assembly that was born on the day of Pentecost fulfilled the expectations of Elohim like Israel never did! Peter was able to write of the New Testament assembly (including us who are a part of it today):
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).

The apostles preached a balanced walk with Elohim. They preached that we must love one another with the love of YHWH Ha Mashiach (the Messiah). They preached that we must pray and seek Elohim. They also preached a very strong holiness message. Let’s read some scriptures that show us the importance of living a holy life, so that we can be ready when YHWH Ha Mashiach (the Messiah) comes back for His assembly:

II Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1 we are to be a separate people,cleanse oursevlves and perfect holiness in YHWH’s sight
Ephesians 5:27 glorious means splendid, noble, honorable
I Thessalonians 4:7 uncleanness means impurity physically or morally
Titus 2:11-14 we are to deny unrighteousness and worldly lust
Hebrews 12:14 follow means to pursue or given to
II Peter 3:10-14 conversation means manner of life