What term describes the standard that holiness aims to meet?

What term describes the standard that holiness aims to meet?

• A. Perfection
• B. Virtue
• C. Righteousness
• D. Holiness

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that holiness aims to meet a complete standard: perfection. In the holiness tradition, believers pursue entire sanctification, a grace-work that brings them to a state of full conformity to Christ—perfected in love through the Spirit. This makes perfection the best description of the standard holiness seeks, because it emphasizes wholeness and completeness of character, not just general moral improvement. Virtue denotes moral excellence in general, but it doesn’t capture the aspirational completeness holiness aims for. Righteousness refers more to being right with God according to His law, and holiness describes being set apart for God; neither alone conveys the idea of reaching the fullness of character holiness desires. Holiness itself denotes the state of being holy, but perfection specifically signals the goal of reaching full, mature conformity to Christ in love.

The main idea is that holiness aims to meet a complete standard: perfection. In the holiness tradition, believers pursue entire sanctification, a grace-work that brings them to a state of full conformity to Christ—perfected in love through the Spirit. This makes perfection the best description of the standard holiness seeks, because it emphasizes wholeness and completeness of character, not just general moral improvement. Virtue denotes moral excellence in general, but it doesn’t capture the aspirational completeness holiness aims for. Righteousness refers more to being right with God according to His law, and holiness describes being set apart for God; neither alone conveys the idea of reaching the fullness of character holiness desires. Holiness itself denotes the state of being holy, but perfection specifically signals the goal of reaching full, mature conformity to Christ in love.