The awesome God is holy – Part 8

One of the attributes of God, which makes Him awesome is His holiness. God’s holiness separates Him from any other supernatural or earthly entity. R. C. Sproul wrote: “Holiness is the characteristic of God’s nature that is at the very core of His being. Only as we encounter God in His holiness is it possible for us to see ourselves as we really are.”

The original words meaning holy are “qadosh”in Hebrew and “hagios” in Greek. These words mean “set apart, sacred and sanctified.” The idea behind holiness is one of separation; being set apart and unique. God is unique in all the universe. No one has His power, majesty or purity.

God is entirely and infinitely pure. He is separated from anything sinful and cannot look at or even tolerate sin. God is, “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness…,” (Habakkuk 1:13 NKJV).

The Holiness of God was mostly emphasised by Prophet Isaiah and John the Beloved in the book of Revelation. In his vision in the temple, Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up with seraphim crying out:”Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty,” (Isaiah 6:1-3).

John described the four living creatures who day and night chant: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty — the one who always was, who is and who is still to come,” (Revelation 4:8 NLT). “God’s holiness pervades His entire being and shapes all His attributes. His love is a holy love, His mercy is holy mercy, and even His anger and wrath are holy anger and holy wrath. These concepts are difficult for humans to grasp, just as God is difficult for us to understand in entirety.”

In 1 Peter 1:14-16, Peter writes to believers: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behaviour; because it is written, ‘you shall be holy, for I am holy.'” Peter is quoting from Leviticus 11:44 and Leviticus 19:2.

Bishop J. C. Ryle states that: “Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God’s judgment – hating what He hates – loving what He loves – and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word…”

Being holy means to live our lives in a way that reflects God’s glory, rather than conforming to the ways of the world (Romans 12:1-2). It means that we need to abide by the rules that God laid down for us in the Bible. It takes discipline to do this and it is not always easy. The instructions in the Bible help to protect us.

It is a shame that the holiness of God and the need to live holy lives is no more emphasised by the Church. How can we de-emphasise what is at the core of the God we worship? The emphasis now is more on grace, mercy, love and achievement, than on holiness. Isaiah said a day shall come when men will appreciate God as the Holy One. “Then at last the people will look to their Creator and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel,” (Isaiah 17:7 NLT). The Church must return to the core message of emphasising the holiness of God.

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