The Holiness of God

Our God is Holy. Throughout Scripture, God asserts Himself as Holy. But what does it actually mean? The word refers to something that is distinct, or seperate, something that is completely foreign to the evil ways of this world. To be Holy is to be morally pure, transcending all forms of evil. This is our God - who is Holy with regards to every aspect of His Nature and Character, in Him is found no darkness (1 John 1:5). Whilst we read of His Holiness in Scripture, and occasionally hear about it in sermons, many are unaware of the Reality of Holiness, and what it must necessarily mean to a believer in Christ.


Let us look at a few Scriptural examples of His Holiness. Moses acted both disobediently and irreverently towards God when he struck the rock at Kadesh (Numbers 20:12), and was punished by not being permitted to enter the Promised Land. Uzzah, in transporting the Ark of the Covenant, stretched forth his hand to steady the Ark from falling and was immediately struck dead (2 Samuel 6:7). Isaiah is given a Revelation of God's Holiness, and as a result, was completely humbled, and lamented his own sinfulness and unholiness (Isaiah 6). Ananias and Sapphira acted without any reverence for God, lying to the Holy Spirit, and fell down dead (Acts 5:1-11). Paul rebukes the disorder at the Lord's Supper in Acts (11:17-34), whereby partakers came before God in an unworthy manner. What is to be said of these passages? It is clear that God will not tolerate the unholy, or irreverance for the Holy.

Moses disobeyed God's Command to 'speak' to the Rock, and instead struck it twice. Paul later identifies this Rock with Jesus Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 10:4), and Moses acted with irreverance to God. He was not to enter the Promised Land, which is itself a picture of Heaven.

Israel disregarded the laws for carrying the Ark, the seat upon which God's presence was manifested, the earthly 'throne' of God. It was instead carried upon a cart, which caused the Ark to slip, and Uzzah's good intentions were punished with death. God had certain rules about Holiness and purification, and they were not respected.

The Story of Ananias and Sapphira acted out of self-interest, but carried the 'look' of followers. Their offering was given so that others would think them to be pious and devout, yet God saw their hearts. They lied to the Spirit, offending God's Holiness.

The Corinthians partaking in the Lord's Supper meal acted shamefully and greedily. The Sin was not that they were unworthy to partake (as nobody is worthy of God's Perfection), but that they had come to the event in an unworthy manner, disrespecting God.

Isaiah gives us a beautiful picture of how we should view God's Holiness. He realised his sinful nature, and came before God in a manner befitting that level of Holiness. God is beyond our comprehension of the word 'holy', as demonstrated by the cries of the Seraphim, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts: the whole Earth is full of His Glory" (Isaiah 6:3). The repetition of the word, in the Hebrew language, is a tool of emphasis. It does not refer to the Trinity. Think of it as a "Holy" in capitalised letters, in bold and underlined! To think, that after all this time in God's Glorious Presence, there are still times when even the greatest of the angels are amazed as God reveals yet another facet of His awesomeness! We serve an Almighty God.

This Holiness is something far too many Christians misunderstand. They focus only on His capacity to Love, and too often ignore His Judgment. The Lord is Righteous, and He will always do right - and He cannot be in fellowship with unholiness. This is why He sent His Son, to offer the gift of His Blood, to allow us to be transformed into His own Perfect Image, and thereby stand before His Throne in righteousness. It is heresy that once we accept the gift of Salvation, He will accept us unconditionally, irregardless of what we do. In the Old Testament, we see a covenant between God and Israel. In the New Testament, we see a covenant between God and all Mankind. This new covenant is a gift which we can choose to accept or disregard, but it does most certainly have stipulations. A Fear and Reverence for God is one of them (Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 20-21; Hebrews 12:28-29). It is the basis for understanding God and His intense hatred for sin, whereby we may be more like Him. It is only through this understanding that obedience will naturally flow. 'Carnal Christianity' flows from an irreverance towards God and His Commands, and God will judge all unholiness. It will not stand in His sight.

When God struck Ananias and Sapphira dead, people did not flock to the Church - but a fear for God was instilled. A True understanding of God, such as this, may drive some away - but it will also bring His elect even closer to Him, in an understanding and appreciation of just what Jesus' sacrifice actually meant. He is transforming us into His Holiness, so He can fellowship with us.

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).

In Christs Love and Service,

Rebecca Mihail, OIC Minister from the Australian Outback