The context of righteousness and holiness seems mysterious to much of mankind. The two words, righteousness and holiness are related, but there is a difference. The difference may be felt in the belief that only God is holy (denotation). This is seen in many ways in Scripture. Jesus addresses God as Holy Father. (John 17:11) Luke, chapter one, often uses the word holy. Mary is told that the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. In Mary’s song that follows the angelic announcement, Mary sings: Holy is his name. All this, and more, suggests that holiness is a characteristic of God, and we learn of him through holy concepts. The third person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. This is worthy study for improving life elevations.
The word holy is also used in an adjectival (connotative) sense, in other contexts. Even Luke, in his first chapter, refers to holy prophets. Double application may be illustrated in the word Lord which refers to God, but adopted in human language to refer to human honor as well. The House of Lords in London is a case in point. In this borrowed sense for clarity or emphasis, I would prefer to use for Christians the word righteous for holy. Persons can be righteous in that we can, to the best of our orientation, fulfill in thought and conduct the knowledge of how God would have us think and act. We may be righteous, but not perfect (holy). If we were holy, in the highest sense of the word, we would be perfect. Holiness, like love, is in the nature of God.
That the words are commonly used as synonyms is not troublesome, but it is helpful in the spiritual development of one’s life to honor differentiation. When we seek righteousness, we are moving toward holiness, which is Christlikeness. As noted in Psalm 17:15, God becomes our model. That does not mean we will achieve his character, but we are pointed in the right direction. We are at peace, if we believe our lives are righteous, moving well in that direction with evidence, which evidence is measured by critique from Scripture and conscience – but there is more.
Isaiah offers a short poem on the contradictions of those who say they follow the Lord. Their ways of winning are related to horses, swift horses, by which the good people will encounter aggressors. But that figure is not the way of salvation from an aggressive spiritual enemy. The solution is in repentance and rest. They will find their strength, not in horses, but in quietness and trust. The prophet describes God in this context: . . . the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion, for the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him! What is it to wait? (We need to be reminded of prayer and patience as spiritual virtues.)
Our righteousness, defense, and way through – all are found in a different mind-set than that found in societies around us. Our purpose is to manage self toward holiness as God is holy. That goal will never be advanced without his assistance, and certainly not fully before heaven’s experience. His guidance in all this is found in Scripture, but it is also clear that it cannot be accomplished without both patience and prayer – spiritual handmaidens. That’s the rub. It takes time alone in spiritual focus with the Lord, perhaps with literature, or music, or some assistance, accompaniment that lifts us above a mixed natural atmosphere. There is no escape. There is no hurry. God is not limited to time. Those understanding God’s context know the pattern. That concept leads to prayer. Wait now and see. To make it all work well a person orders life to include the spiritual touch. If we discover it, there is monitoring by the Holy Spirit to achieve our vision. In righteousness we seek to be like unto our Savior – which art in heaven. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020