Have you ever wondered why it sometimes feels like God’s presence is distant or missing from our lives? The answer is simple but profound: God is holy—and where He dwells, holiness is required.
Holiness isn’t something we can fake, borrow, or pretend to have. It’s not about rules, rituals, or dressing a certain way. True holiness comes only one way—through the blood of Jesus Christ. Without it, we cannot draw near to the One who inhabits eternity.
“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”—1 Peter 1:15–16
Before I experienced heaven firsthand, I thought “holiness” was a concept reserved for monks, nuns, or people who never had any fun. It felt irrelevant to real life. But once I found myself in the presence of God—everything I believed about holiness was shattered. In heaven, holiness isn’t optional. It’s the very atmosphere. It surrounds God and defines Him. Holiness is like oxygen in heaven—it fills everything and everyone where He is.
Back here on earth, we’ve reduced holiness to vague definitions and churchy phrases. Some dictionaries say it means “religious” or “connected to God,” but those descriptions fall painfully short. Holiness isn’t a title—it’s the perfect, sinless essence of God Himself.
“For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place…’”—Isaiah 57:15
To encounter God’s presence is to be flooded with the awareness of His purity—His righteousness, His beauty, His perfection. It causes a natural response in the heart. Not out of obligation, but from awe. Holiness draws out worship and reverence. It’s transformative.
“Let them praise Your great and awesome name—He is holy.”—Psalm 99:3
I’ve been in more church services than I can count. But even the most powerful ones barely reflect the holiness I encountered in heaven. Nothing on earth comes close. True holiness can’t be fabricated. It can’t be earned or bought. It can only be received—by fully surrendering your life to Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the bridge between sinful humanity and a holy God. Only through Him can we be made clean. Only through His Spirit can we be born again into the life of holiness.
“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” —John 3:5–6
God created you to walk with Him and live with Him forever. But sin breaks that connection. Thankfully, He’s made a way—through Jesus—to restore what was lost. His blood cleanses. His cross redeems. And His resurrection offers eternal life to anyone who believes. And a repentant heart allows us fellowship with the One who redeems us.
“Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up…that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:14–17
This is the invitation: to receive what we could never earn. To enter into the holiness of God by faith in His Son. There is no other way. But there is a way—and that way is Jesus.
With God, nothing is impossible,
Capt. Dale Black
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