The Holiness of God
The Holiness of God
The holiness of God is one of His most fundamental characteristics, embodying His perfect purity and righteousness. Throughout the Scriptures, numerous references shine forth this divine attribute of God.
Whether written by himself or recorded by another the prophet Isaiah tells of his heavenly vision of the seraphim surrounding God's throne and the one who proclaims, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory (Isaiah 6:3).” The fact that he mentions the term “holy" three times emphasizes the supreme purity of God. By including this triplicate usage of the term “holy” he reinforces the holiness of God as the essence of His being. Thus, this is not merely a characteristic of God but the foundation of His nature.
Even the Apostle Peter instructed, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).” God’s command through His beloved apostle to be holy mirrors His nature and directs humanity towards righteousness. This call for holiness reveals that holiness is not just an attribute of God, but rather a standard He desires for His creation.
In Psalm 30:4, David cries out, saying, "Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness." Here, the psalmist urges the saints to remember God's holiness and to express gratitude, acknowledging that His holiness brings joy, peace, and assurance. Celebrating God's righteousness is essential for anyone to understand His majestic nature, and reflecting upon His holiness provides a glimpse into our relationship with Him.
God’s holiness also demands justice. Habakkuk 1:13 states, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity." This verse highlights that God cannot tolerate sin; His perfect purity necessitates a separation from all that is unrighteous. This not only serves as a strong warning to us, but knowing this, we can also find solace in the fact that God is faithful and just, willing and able to bless us far beyond what we deserve.
Furthermore, in Revelation 4:8, the creatures around God's throne declare incessantly, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." This declaration reinforces the eternal and unchanging nature of God's holiness, thereby emphasizing that understanding God’s holiness is paramount to understanding who He is.
Remember, God's holiness is always demonstrated through His actions. In Leviticus 11:44, God commands His people, "For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy." This call to holiness emphasizes that those who choose to follow Him must reflect His purity and righteousness.
In conclusion, the holiness of God represents His perfect purity and righteousness. From the proclamations of the heavenly seraphim to the calls for human holiness by inspired men, the Scriptures affirm that God’s holiness is central and constant to His nature. As believers, understanding and pursuing the holiness of God is essential to our relationship with Him who is perfectly pure and righteous, our Creator and Sustainer. ~Casey
>PS: To intentionally reflect God's holiness in thoughts, words, and actions throughout the week let us strive to set aside 10-15 minutes a day for personal reflection and focus on a specific aspect of God’s holiness and meditate upon 1 Peter 1:16; Revelation 4:8; Matthew 5:48 & Matthew 5:8.