Holy or Whole, does it make a difference?

You know the history of the word "holy" is very close to the word "whole". "Holy" was taken from the same root word from which "whole" came. Oftentimes, the word "holy" is used to denote something set aside in a special service for God, or that it draws significance from being a thing dedicated to God. More and more, I am reflecting on the importance of the word "whole." I think the word holy in its traditional meaning has taken on additional connotations through time. Holy is a word that is unattainable, far off, and something I know I am not and could never be. Holy would then apply when discussing God. But, when we flip the table and talk about holy people, we have a problem. The phrase "holier than thou" comes to mind that it becomes some offensive arrogant and judgmental way of being, which was never meant to be the case.

On the other hand, when we talk about being a "whole" human being I think our minds go in a different direction. Going further, I believe my mind goes in the correct direction when thinking of "whole" people. God created human beings, and He created them in his image. God has a whole idea of what we as human beings can and should be. If we allow him, He enjoys showing us what his idea is/was when creating us humans. When I think of holy people, I think of the whole idea God has in mind for humanity. This is an exciting way of thinking and can lead in multiple directions.

Holy people are not "holier than thou" people, they are "whole" people.

They are people who are not afraid to love, not afraid to fight for justice, not afraid to stand up for the truth, not afraid of death, not afraid of giving of themselves to help others, and not afraid of trusting other people who may have given no good reason to trust in them. They are loving, kind, gentle, good, self-controlled, not given to anger, joyful, and trustworthy (See Gal. 5:22).

Deep down in our souls, we know this to be true. We have an innate sense of what is right and wrong. We have the sense at a very young age of what is fair and not fair. I always hear little children say, "but that's not fair!" We are created with this sense. Having such an innate sense embedded deep in our souls should give us a clue that we were indeed created with a hunger for what is right. We know God's idea of whole human beings in the deepest part of our being, but we lack the capability to get their on our own. So, God steps in to assist as it must be because it was always his idea of us and not our own. Therefore, only with his help can we fully realize what He has in mind for us as a human being.