Holiness and the Fear of God

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

This verse is a clear and direct call to pursue holiness with a dire consequence if not followed. The word strive means to pursue, to chase after, to actively engage in something with intent and purpose. But what does it truly mean to pursue holiness?

Misunderstandings of Holiness

Growing up in a legalistic environment, I often heard the word holiness, but it was always framed in terms of things I should not do:

• Don't listen to worldly music.

• Don't dress in the latest styles.

• Don't go to movies (even if they're PG).

• Don't attend church without a suit and tie.

• Don't drink.

• Don't play cards.

• Don't dance.

Holiness, in this framework, became a rigid set of rules meant to shape outward behavior, but it failed to transform the heart. I pursued holiness as a way to be better than others, not as a pursuit of God Himself. It became about self-image rather than divine transformation. It was more about how I looked to others rather than loving God and wanting to be more like him. My understanding of holiness was superficial. I performed when around church people but lived differently when surrounded by non-believers. I had no real grasp of what it meant to pursue holiness. Instead, I was pursuing my own image and reputation.

What Is Holiness?

The question is not what but who is holy. The answer? God. God alone is holy. Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? (Exodus 15:11) No one and nothing compares to God. His holiness is not simply one attribute among many; it is His essence.  Isaiah saw this reality firsthand: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3) God’s holiness transcends time and space. It is overwhelming and absolute. The seraphim cover their faces before Him, and the very foundations shake at His presence.

If holiness is the essence of God, then to pursue holiness is to pursue God Himself. To love holiness is to love God, and to love God is to love holiness. Many mistake holiness for outward actions or a set of religious accomplishments:

• "Look at how modestly I dress."

• "Look at how faithful I am."

But such boasting reveals self-righteousness, not true holiness. Holiness is not a badge to be earned but a life surrendered to God’s nature and character.

The Fear of the Lord and Holiness

How do we pursue this holy God? The answer is found in fear—holy fear. Fear is the only appropriate response to a holy, holy, holy God. One of the greatest struggles in the pursuit of holiness today is the lack of a proper fear of God. This is the plague of our nation and of many churches. Instead of fearing God, many have imagined a safe god, one who simply exists to meet their needs, a vending-machine deity who dispenses blessings when the right price is paid. But this is not the God of the Bible.

The Bible says:

• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)

• “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.” (Proverbs 8:13)

• “By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.”(Proverbs 16:6)

The problem is not whether we fear, but what we fear. Every decision we make is influenced by some fear—fear of failure, rejection, pain, or loss. The question is: Do we fear God above all else?

Biblical Examples of the Fear of God

Throughout Scripture, those who truly feared God displayed their faith through obedience:

1. Abraham – He was willing to sacrifice Isaac because he feared God (Genesis 22:12).

2. Hebrew midwives – They defied Pharaoh and saved Hebrew babies because they feared God more than man (Exodus 1:17).

3. Joseph – He refused Potiphar’s wife, saying, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”(Genesis 39:9).

4. Ananias and Sapphira – They lied to God and paid the price (Acts 5:1-11). Great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

The fear of the Lord is not merely a dread of judgment; it is an awe-filled reverence that leads to joyful obedience. As John Bunyan said, “The fear of God is the salt that seasoneth every duty.” It is not enough to obey out of obligation; we must obey out of love for God.

Conclusion: The Heart of True Holiness

Many people attempt to fake holiness for a time, but it never lasts. True holiness flows from a heart that loves and fears God. It is not a mere avoidance of sin but a pursuit of God’s glory. Every action in our pursuit of holiness must be weighed against our reverence for God. We slow down for a police officer because we fear the consequences—but do we live in obedience to God out of fear and love for Him?

A godly fear produces awe, which fuels a pursuit of holiness. This is not legalism; it is the response of a heart that has seen God’s holiness and can do nothing but bow in reverence and worship.  If we are to truly pursue holiness, we must do so by pursuing God Himself. Let us seek Him with a holy fear, knowing that to fear God is to love Him, and to love Him is to walk in holiness.