What Do I Know of Holy?

Posted by Wade Lowrey on Sep 16, 2009 in Bible Study, Christian Reflections, Videos |

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What do I know of Holy?

That is such a heartfelt question, a question for the believer in Jesus Christ that goes to the very core of raw human emotion in trying to understand and comprehend a Holy God. It is hard to explain holiness on a purely rational basis because with the best definition the mere thought of a holy God brings me to my knees and often times tears.

What do I know of Holy?

Holiness is dynamic, it contains many layers of definition and experience. One of the clearest descriptions of Holiness can be found in Isaiah 6 where we see the prophet Isaiah in a vision at the very throne room of God. God is so completely holy that in heaven we will refer to God as Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Holiness is expressed three times in describing the holiness of God. There are many times in the Old Testament where the Almighty and Holy God appears to individuals in various forms and the holiness of God is revealed, this is often referred to as a theophany.

The prophet Nahum describes God in this way, The Mountains quake before him and the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who live in it. When God chooses to reveal himself there are varying degrees in which He does so. For Moses, he had to remove his sandals because the very ground became holy. Other times God’s holiness caused all of the Israelites to fear and tremble when the Law was brought down from the Mountain.

What do I know of Holy?

The Holiness of God often invokes fear and trembling but it also reveals a powerful other side of God that can be overlooked at times.

Exodus 34:6-7

The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, ⁷ maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.

In this famous verse that is repeated throughout the Old Testament we are given the broader picture of the holiness of God. This picture includes both the justice and also the mercy of a Holy God. In a sense, holiness gives God the freedom to act in unexpected ways (at least to us). It is this complete picture of holiness that prepares the people of God for the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

What do I Know of Holy?

Here is what I do know. I know that God became flesh and made His dwelling among us. I know that now God is approachable and touchable. A woman touched the garment of Jesus and was healed. Jesus invited Thomas to touch the wounds on his body. John tells us that his very hands have touched Jesus. I know this about the Holiness of God, I know that believers now have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus. Without Holiness nobody will see the Lord, and my holiness is not my own but belonging only to Jesus Christ.

What do I know of Holy?

His name is Jesus, my Lord and Savior.