Last week, we talked about the constitutional attributes of God (how He exists and functions). This week, we're going to talk about one of His moral attributes: the fact that God is holy.
Granted, the holiness of God isn't something we like to talk about too much in today's culture. We tend to be drawn to some of God's other attributes, like His faithfulness, goodness, patience, truthfulness, compassion, mercy, and grace, because these qualities bring us comfort.
However, it is absolutely necessary that while we celebrate these aspects of God's character, we do not ignore the fact that God is Holy.
What does this mean?
-It means that He is pure and complete in character.
-He is totally without sin and right in everything He thinks and does.
-God's holiness means that He is separated from all evil.
Sin literally offends Him.
-By His very nature, God is separated from sin and sinful humanity.
What does this mean for us?
Well, God's holiness seems like a negative in His relationship with human beings at first glance. Because He is completely holy and we are sinful, there is a gulf between us that needs to be bridged. Without God's intervention, our sin would not allow us to ever have the relationship with God that He originally intended when He created the human race. It would also require that a holy God judge us for our sins and condemn us to an eternity apart from Him.
Thankfully, God sent His Son, Who was also completely sinless and holy, to pay the price for our sins. He served as the mediator so humanity's relationship with a holy God could be restored.
This demonstrates another aspect of God's holiness: His complete dedication to carrying out His plans and purposes—always for the highest good of humankind.
So while our sin separated us from God's holiness, His holiness created a way of salvation so that His plan and purpose for the highest good of humanity could continue.
Not only did He make way for salvation through Christ, but He gave us the Holy Spirit to live inside of us, doing a work of sanctification that enables us to obey the Biblical command:
"You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16 ESV)
Isn't that awesome?
Here's another fact about God's holiness that we cannot be too quick to pass over: because God is holy, that means He cannot do anything wrong. Hence, we can trust Him.
Read that again and let it sink in.
Too often, we allow the enemy to fill our minds with the lie that God is against us or that He wants to harm us. Because we have wrong attitudes and motives, we project our issues onto God and believe He is just like us.
However, He is not. His holiness won't allow Him to be.
Instead, He always does what is right, what is best, and what fulfills His purpose. He can't sin. Hence, what He does is always what is best for us. Even when He is forced to correct us because of our sins, it is in the hope that we will repent and return to Him. Again, His motive is pure and good.
Everything about God is holy and perfect. Rather than being a hindrance in our relationship with Him, it should cause us to seek Him more, knowing that His character is always pure, free from sin, and above reproach.
Thank God for His legendary holiness!
Adessa Holden is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God specializing in Women's Ministry. Together with her brother, Jamie, they manage 4One Ministries and travel the East Coast speaking, holding conferences, and producing Men's and Women's resources that provide practical Biblical teaching for everyday life.
When asked about herself, she'll tell you "I'm a women's minister, a sister, and a daughter. I love to laugh and spend time with people. My favorite things are chocolate, the ocean, sandals and white capris, anything purple, summertime and riding in the car listening to music. It is my absolute honor and privilege to serve Jesus and women through this ministry."
