Holiness (42)(hagiosune from hagios = holy) basically refers to separation from what is common or unclean, and consecration to God (Lev 20:24-26 Acts 6:13; 21:28). Separation from the world involves more than keeping our distance from sinners but also means staying close to God. More than avoiding entertainment that leads to sin, it extends into how we spend our time and money. There is no way to separate ourselves totally from all sinful influences. Nevertheless, we are to resist the sin around us, without either giving up or giving in. When you know what God wants you to do, make a clean break with sinful practices. But beware of the trap of falling prey to keeping a list of do's and don't's or you will fall into the bondage of legalism. Hagiosune refers to holiness not in the sense of describing the process of becoming "holy" but rather the quality of "being holy". It is the quality of holiness as an expression of the divine in contrast with the human. It has an ethical quality that reveals itself in purity of life. It indicates the state or condition of holiness. Hiebert explains that... The demand for holiness is rooted in the fact that by virtue of his acceptance of the atoning work of Christ, the believer has been separated from the world and set apart as belonging unto God. That which is devoted to God must he separated from sin. Genuine holiness is motivated by the obligations love imposes. (Ibid) There are only 3 uses of hagiosune in the NT and here are the other two... Romans 1:4 (note) who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord (Comment: Here hagiosune indicates a spirit or disposition of holiness which characterized Christ spiritually.) 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Hagiosúne and hagiótes (41) are qualities of character for which there need not be any proof; but for hagiasmos (38), the process of sanctification and the result of that process upon the individual, proof is necessary at each stage of its progressive achievement. Hagios means to be set apart for a specific use or purpose. Includes the idea of taking something filthy, dirty and washing it and setting it apart as something brand new and useful for a different purpose--salvation Hagiosune refers to a quality of life expressed in careful obedience to God. Hagiosune refers to holiness of God pervading scheme of redemption and being made manifest in and by Christ. It emphasizes not an act of holiness but the state or condition of holiness. God's will is that our lives be characterized in every area by Christ-likeness in our attitudes and actions. The imminent "coming of our Lord Jesus" provides an apt incentive for all believers to pursue holiness. Before our God and Father - This phrase removes this holiness from the realm of fallible human evaluation and lifts it into the presence of God Who is also our Father. The Christian must always be concerned about the evaluation that God our Father will make of our character. Our holiness of character and conduct are derived from Him and will be tested by Him. These grand attributes we are to prayerfully seek in this life will have their full realization at the coming of our Lord Jesus. Hiebert comments that... In keeping with the realization that the parousia of Jesus is not a single event, Walvoord accepts that "this word coming here may not refer especially to the coming of Christ with His saints to earth, but rather specifically to the coming to heaven when they will be in the presence of the Father." Then the reference is to the coming of Christ to catch up His people at the Rapture (see notes 1Thessalonians 4:13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18), which marks the initiation of His personal presence with His redeemed people. The Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10 - see bema) is also the Judgment Seat of God (see note Romans 14:10), since the judgment of the saints takes place in the presence of God the Father on whose throne Christ is now seated (see note Revelation 3:21). Having been judged and rewarded, the saints will be presented to Christ as His spotless Bride. By virtue of their union with the Lord Jesus they will appear before God the Father as sons free from all fault and imperfection (see note Ephesians 5:27; cf. 1 John 3:2). (Hiebert, D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996) AT THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS WITH ALL HIS SAINTS: en te parousia tou kuriou emon Iesou meta panton ton agion autou: (1Thes 2:19; 4:15; 5:23; 1Corinthians 1:7; 15:23; 2Thessalonians 2:1) (Deuteronomy 33:2; Zechariah 14:5; 2Thessalonians 1:10; Jude 1:14) At the coming - Remember that every chapter in this epistle ends with a reference to the return of Jesus Christ, and as in this section this great truth is applied to motivate expectant daily living. The imminent return of Jesus (1) is an evidence of salvation (1Th 1:9,10), (2) is a motivation for soul winning (1Th 2:17, 18, 19, 20), (3) is an encouragement for holy living (1Th 3:11, 12, 13), (4) is a comfort in sorrow (1Th 4:18) (5) is a stimulus to have more confidence in the Lord (1Th 5:23, 24).