Section 4: Morality and Holiness — God’s Sinless Purity vs. Human Fallenness
1. Introduction
Morality is not a human invention but a reflection of the holy character of God. Scripture presents God as absolutely holy, the source of all moral truth and righteousness. In contrast, human nature—though created good—has been corrupted by sin, resulting in a condition of moral fallenness. This section explores the holiness of God as a central divine attribute, the theological depth of human sinfulness, and how this moral contrast shapes redemption, ethics, and worship.
2. God’s Holiness in Scripture
Holiness (Hebrew: qadosh, Greek: hagios) signifies absolute moral purity, otherness, and perfection in character. It is one of God’s most exalted attributes:
- “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3)
- “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5)
- “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does” (Psalm 145:17)
God’s holiness is:
- Intrinsic and immutable — He is holy by nature, not by action or conformity
- Transcendent — Distinct from creation and evil
- Ethically perfect — Incapable of sin or wrongdoing (Hab. 1:13)
God’s moral nature is not only perfect in itself but also the standard by which all human actions are judged.
3. Human Moral Fallenness
Humans were created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27), with moral capacity and responsibility. However, the Fall (Genesis 3) introduced universal sin into human nature:
- “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)
- “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
- “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10)
Human sin includes:
- Original sin — The inherited moral corruption from Adam (Rom. 5:12)
- Personal sin — Individual acts of rebellion, omission, or selfishness
- Systemic sin — Societal structures shaped by collective fallen behaviour
Theological traditions affirm that this fallenness affects the mind, will, emotions, and conscience—a condition often called total depravity (Calvin, Augustine).
4. Comparative Analysis: Holiness vs. Fallenness
| Aspect | Divine Nature (Holiness) | Human Nature (Fallenness) |
|---|---|---|
| Moral Status | Perfect, sinless (Isa. 6:3) | Sinful, corrupted (Rom. 3:23) |
| Source of Morality | Self-existent standard (Lev. 11:44) | Dependent, derivative, prone to distortion |
| Relation to Evil | Cannot sin or tempt (James 1:13) | Tempted, fallen, rebellious (Gen. 6:5) |
| Moral Consistency | Unchanging, always righteous (Ps. 145:17) | Inconsistent, double-minded (James 4:8) |
| Moral Desire | Always wills what is good (Ps. 33:5) | Desires often disordered (Rom. 7:15–20) |
| Judgment Standard | Sets the law and judges by it (Isa. 33:22) | Judged by divine holiness (Rom. 2:2–6) |
5. Theological and Doctrinal Insights
a. Holiness as Foundational to God’s Being
God’s holiness is not just an attribute but the sum total of His moral perfection (R. C. Sproul). It defines His justice, wrath, mercy, and love. His moral otherness requires that sinful humanity be made holy to approach Him (Heb. 12:14).
b. Sin as Relational Rebellion
Sin is not merely law-breaking but relational rupture—a rejection of God’s moral authority (Ps. 51:4). Fallenness explains human inability to perfectly fulfil God’s moral demands (Rom. 8:7–8).
c. The Law and Conscience
God gave the Mosaic Law and human conscience as moral mirrors (Rom. 2:15; Gal. 3:24), revealing our need for grace. Yet law cannot save—only Christ can cleanse.
6. Christological Fulfilment: The Holy One in Human Flesh
Jesus Christ is the unique fulfilment of divine holiness in human form:
- Called “the Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24)
- Lived a sinless life (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22)
- Became a perfect sacrifice (2 Cor. 5:21)
He bridges the divine-human moral gap:
- Embodies holiness
- Imparts righteousness through justification (Rom. 3:21–26)
- Transforms believers through sanctification (1 Thess. 5:23)
Through Christ, God does not merely forgive sin, but restores moral likeness.
7. Practical Implications for Christian Life
- Worship: Holiness should provoke awe and reverence (Isa. 6:5; Heb. 12:28)
- Repentance: Awareness of sin leads to confession (1 John 1:9)
- Sanctification: The Spirit progressively makes believers holy (Gal. 5:16–25)
- Ethics: Christians are called to imitate divine holiness (1 Pet. 1:15–16)
8. Conclusion
The contrast between divine holiness and human sinfulness reveals both the depth of the human problem and the glory of divine redemption. God is not merely a bigger version of us—He is wholly other, morally perfect, and sovereign in judgment. Yet in love, He draws fallen creatures into fellowship through the righteousness of Christ. This moral chasm, bridged by grace, lies at the centre of the Christian gospel.
References
- Augustine. (397/1998). Confessions. (Trans. H. Chadwick). Oxford University Press.
- Calvin, J. (1559/1960). Institutes of the Christian Religion. Westminster Press.
- Grudem, W. (1994). Systematic Theology. Leicester: IVP.
- Sproul, R. C. (1985). The Holiness of God. Wheaton: Tyndale House.
- Stott, J. R. W. (1986). The Cross of Christ. London: IVP.
- The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
- The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV)