God Is Holy
"Be holy, as I am holy."
Welcome back to our Transformational Theology video series about what God is like. Check out the corresponding book, as well as more transformational designs.
In both testaments, God is repeatedly described as being “holy.”
Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, you shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. (Leviticus 19:2)
And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8)
As we daily walk in union with Christ, looking at Him, surrendering to Him, He will change us more and more into His own holy image.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Pray that God would help you to understand His holiness and that you will come to a greater knowledge of the fear of the Lord!
How does this transform us?
Because God is holy, He cannot tolerate sin. And because we have been made holy through the blood of Jesus, He expects us to hate sin too!
Reflect deeply on the following verses from 1 Peter:
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’
Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a Lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God.” (1 Peter 1:13-21)
Now, evaluate yourself: How do you view your own sin? Do you tolerate it? Do you dismiss it or excuse it? Are you actively and aggressively striving to remove sin from your life? Do you spend more time pointing out other people’s sin than you do confessing your own to God?
Cry out to God to align your heart with His in hatred of your sin. Then, make a commitment to work on at least one area of sin in your life in the coming weeks.
Share your commitment with another trusted believer, then pray for one another to live pure and holy lives before God in accordance with the holiness God has given you through the blood of Jesus.
