What does the Bible say about true holiness?

True holiness, as presented in Scripture, is fundamentally rooted in being united with Christ. This union is not about external practices, such as dietary laws or religious observances, but about an inner transformation brought about by faith. In John 18, we see that the Jewish leaders were obsessed with their perceived holiness, focusing on avoiding defilement from contact with others rather than recognizing the true state of their hearts. Genuine holiness flows from faith in Jesus, who fulfills the legal demands of the law for His people, allowing believers to stand before God as righteous.