I am finally writing about a burden my heart has carried for some time now. I believe there is a missing element in the faith practiced by many believers these days. The missing element? An understanding of the holiness of God.
What Is the Holiness of God?
I find it best to think of God’s holiness in at least 3 ways.
God’s holiness is the perfection of His attributes and character.
We understand God is all-knowing. But an all-knowing being who was not perfect in character would be nosey and meddling. We understand God is all-present. However, an all-present but imperfect God would be intrusive. Then we know God to be all-powerful. Yet an imperfect, all-powerful God would be a despot or tyrant.
You can see any number of ways in which His holiness assures that all God’s attributes will always operate perfectly.
God’s holiness is His superiority over His creation.
The essential meaning of the word “holy” is to be “other.” His ways and thoughts are greater than ours. His character is perfect, while ours is far from perfect.
When we say that God is holy, we recognize that He is of far greater quality and value than anything else we know.
God’s holiness describes His lofty position over us.
God is not like us and we are not like Him. In Isaiah 6, God granted Isaiah the opportunity to take a peek inside the door to heaven’s throne room. He saw seraphim encircling the throne declaring that God is “holy, holy, holy.” Repeating the word three times emphasizes its superlative degree. In our English language we would say God is MOST Holy. He is the “holiest.” (Isaiah 6:1-8)
So What Are We to Do With God’s Holiness?
Sadly, in our day many live with a more common view of God, His Word, and His ways. We segment our lives in such a way that God has a “part.” Yet, in His answer to the question of the Greatest Commandment, Jesus challenges us to love God with our ALL. (Matthew 22:36-37)
Samson’s downfall was his neglect of the special calling of God he had as a Nazarite. God intended to use him in great ways, but Samson used God’s gifts to him for his own personal pleasures.
The Bible does refer at times to God as our “friend.” But we should not make the mistake of applying our 21st century understanding of friend to our relationship with Him. Out of the holiness of His love and benevolence God chooses to treat us in a friendly manner. But just because God is our friend does not mean we are His equal.
How much of our prayer is what we want God to do for us or do for someone else? How much of our prayer is a heart-cry for God to enable us to do more for Him?
Many view God as a means to a personal end. They claim victory, healing, or prosperity in Jesus’ name. They want God to bless us, but speak nothing of our blessing Him.
To hear the prayers of many Christians, you would think God was nothing more than a cosmic Amazon from whom we order delivery of our needs. We need to remember: God is not there for us, we are here for Him.
God’s Call to Holiness
Several New Testament Bible passages issue a call for us to live holy lives.
1 Peter 1:15-16 – Since God is holy, we should be holy. This speaks to “otherness.” Just as God is not like His creation, so also we can live distinctive lives unlike others around us. We should aspire to live by a higher calling and standard.
Ephesians 1:4 – God redeemed us and called us out from among the world around us to be distinctive. Because we are His, our lives should look different.
Hebrews 12:14 – Without holiness, we are not able to see the activity of God in our lives.
2 Corinthians 7:1 – We are called to be separate and live clean, holy lives.
Romans 12:1 – Our reasonable act of personal worship is to daily present ourselves as living, holy sacrifices to God.
Confess your sins. Consider yourself God’s. YOU are sacred. Live a sacred life.
Read also: My Heart, His Temple