God is holy.
If you look up the definition of “holy”, one word used is Godly. That’s because the word “holy” only describes God. Holy means perfect and absolutely pure. The angels singing around God’s throne sing “Holy, Holy, Holy”. The word “holy” is repeated three times to show emphasis and draw attention to how amazing this attribute of God is. There is no way for us humans to fully grasp holiness because we are not holy in any way on our own. God is so holy that He says no one can look at Him and live.
Exodus 33:20 “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”
In the bible, everyone who encounters God immediately falls down or hides. Moses hid his face in the rock. John fell down almost dead. Saul (also known as Paul) fell down and was blinded by God. God’s holiness is so unlike anything we know that we will never fully understand God’s holiness. But it is worth it to think about this attribute of God because it sets Him apart from everyone and everything else.
Every attribute of God is holy. God’s love is holy. God’s mercy is holy. God’s justice is holy. God’s anger is holy. Every attribute of God is holy because it is perfect and pure in goodness.
Exodus 15:11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”
Revelation 4:8 “And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME."
Our sin separates us from a this Holy God. A holy God cannot dwell with sinful people. We must repent of our sin, and trust in Jesus’ death on the cross for our sin, for the Holy Spirit to come and live in us. It is only Christ’s righteousness and holiness that allow us to enter into relationship with God.
Isaiah 59:2 “but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”
God’s standard is holiness.
1 Peter 1:15,16 says “ but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy”
We are not holy. To be in the presence of God we must have faith in Christ, and then we are clothed in Christ’s perfection. It is Christ’s death on the cross the gives us access to God.
Why is God’s holiness so unique?
What does God’s holiness mean to you?
Getting to know God in relationship:
How will you talk to God differently and read His word differently because of this attribute?
Written by Wendy Wood, CHCC counselor