It may seem a little silly, I’ve been reading along and in chapter 7 I see John making a sound argument for the Holy Spirit as our vehicle to the holiness which God seeks for His people. Note the text of John’s quote from Isaiah (ch 59 v21): “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the LORD. “

I feel that I conceptualize God as "holy" ... "holiness" is an absolute attribute of God and a spiritual attribute which we seek ... often it is connected in our thoughts with goodness, righteousness and sanctification ... In our everyday life, "holy" is often used as a descriptive adjective for objects and persons dedicated to the work of God on earth ... in old and new testament scripture "holy" is often encountered as allegory or imagery probably because, even though the world reflects the glory and holiness of God, people seem to find it is hard to define "holiness" with physical world references.

I personally find that "holiness", as a spiritual attribute for my life, has definition in a thread of revelation which could be termed "fear of the Lord" .... it becomes a somewhat lengthy study because a conceptualization of "fear of the Lord" seems best clarified by considering the relationship of spiritual wisdom, understanding and knowledge. I feel that such a study should consider in sequence:

• relationship of spiritual wisdom, understanding and knowledge
• relationship of our spiritual development with "fear of the Lord"
• conceptualizing and growing in holiness ... 2 Cor 7; 1 ... make holiness perfect in the fear of the Lord ...

 If it is acceptable, I will reflect on these three topics. Thank you. Claire