Beelieve - Know God Intimately: God is Holy

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Definition:

The word itself means "to be set apart." A thing is holy if it is set apart for a special use. As we apply it to God, holiness is that characteristic that sets him apart from his creation. There are many verses that speak of God being "on high," "reigning," "in his holy temple," "sitting on the throne." These verses all picture God as separate from creation and reigning over it.

There is a second important meaning of the word holy: "Utterly pure, separated from sin." The Bible tells us that God hates sin, that he cannot sin nor will he tempt others to sin. God is so pure that he cannot tolerate sin in any form in his presence and one day he will destroy sin forever.

How important is it?

Holiness is the only attribute of God mentioned in triplicate. Two times the Bible tells us that God is holy, holy, holy (Is 6:3, Rev 4:8). Think about that for a moment. If God says something about his character once, that's enough to settle it. When he says it twice, that's emphasis. But when he says it three times, that means it's of supreme importance. The Bible never says that God is love, love, love or mercy, mercy, mercy, or justice, justice, justice. But it does say that he is holy, holy, holy.

God’s Holiness Is incomparable - Exodus 15:11 (NASB) “Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders?”

God’s Holiness is EXHIBITED IN HIS

• Character - Ps 22:3; Jn 17:11


• Name -Isa 57:15; Luke 1:49


• Words -Ps 60:6; Jer 23:9


• Works -Ps 145:17


• Kingdom -Ps 47:8; Mt13:41;Rev 21:27;1 Cor 6:9,10

God’s Holiness IS PLEDGED FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF

• His promises -Ps 89:35


• His judgments -Am 4:2

As Christians we are commanded to imitate His holiness -Lev 11:44; 1 Pe 1:15,16

As Christians we should praise His holiness. -Ps 30:4

As Christians we should produce reverential fear towards His holiness. -Rev 15:4

God’s holiness requires holy service -Joshua 24:19; Ps 93:5

Heavenly hosts adore God’s holiness - Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8

God’s holiness should be magnified -1Ch16:10; Ps 48:1; 99:3,5; Rev15:4

Quotes:
A.W. Tozer – “Holy is the way God is. To be holy he does not conform to a standard. He is that standard. He is absolutely holy with an infinite, incomprehensible fullness of purity that is incapable of being other than it is. Because he is holy, all his attributes are holy; that is, whatever we think of as belonging to God must be thought of as holy.”

Dwight L. Moody “It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. We are told to let our light shine, and if it does we won’t need to tell anybody it does. The light will be its own witness. Lighthouses don’t ring bells and fire cannon to call attention to their shining—they just shine.”

Anonymous "Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God."

"Live so that the preacher can tell the truth at your funeral! "

Action to Take:

Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior from the guilt and punishment of sin? If so, thank God for His great gift of salvation. Are there still sins in your daily life as a Christian? Confess them to God and trust His power for victory over them. "Be in your daily practice what you are by virtue of your eternal position in Christ."

Develop a scriptural formula for holy living.

Here is one possibility drawn from 1 Corinthians. When hesitant over a course of action, ask yourself:

Does this glorify God? (1Co 10:31)

Is this consistent with the lordship of Christ? (1Co 7:23)

Is this consistent with biblical examples? (1Co 11:1)

Is this lawful and beneficial for me—spiritually, mentally, physically? (1Co 6:9, 10, 11, 12)

Does this help others positively and not hurt others unnecessarily? (1Co 10:33; 8:13)

Does this bring me under any enslaving power? (1Co 6:12)

Let Scripture be your compass to guide you in cultivating holiness and in making life’s decisions.

“A father’s holy life is a rich legacy for his sons.” C. H. Spurgeon

What kind of legacy are you leaving your children?

Prayer:

Lord, since You will never tell me to do something I am unable to do, I will commit myself to separate from evil and trust that He will enable me to do just that.