The phrase above has me searching my own heart this morning. Moses, a chosen, faithful leader of God's people, a man described as speaking to God face-to-face, fell short of living a life that revealed God's holiness. Moses had rebelled against God's instructions and misrepresented Him before the Israelites when he struck the rock instead of speaking to it at the waters of Meribah as God had commanded. We might trivialize his disobedience thinking it's not a big deal, but if we do, we haven't begun to understand God's holiness. When we neglect to consider His holiness, we lose the sense of our sinfulness.
Do we ever stop to really ponder the holiness of God? When we burst into His presence with a sudden need, do we remember that He is not only always on hand but also holy? Yes, He is both Father and Friend, but first He is holy. This description of our Creator both fascinates and terrifies. What does it mean that God is holy?
God's holiness runs through the entire narrative of Scripture. The first time the word "holy" is used in the Bible is Genesis 2:3 as God blesses the seventh day and makes it holy. The ground that Moses stood on in Exodus 3:5 is defined by God as being holy. Holy is the primary way that God is described throughout His word. Holy is His name. Holiness encompasses the many attributes of God's character. His sovereignty, righteousness, purity, love and mercy are all evident through His holiness. It's His "other-ness" that sets Him apart and includes the awesome, indescribable mystery that we may never fully grasp and that should call our hearts to swell with reverence.
As children of God, we are called to be holy as He is holy. A tall order that can only be lived out by the Holy Spirit living in us. Absolutely nothing within us is holy, but as God called Moses to demonstrate His holiness, He calls us, as His children, to do the same. We must serve the Holy One in holiness.
Like Moses, I have failed to make His holiness visible. Our obedience to the Lord puts His holiness on display. When our lives are characterized by God's goodness, justice and love, others see Christ. Our entire lives must be dedicated to God. We need to easily be able to invite Him to sit with us in every situation knowing our choices won't distance us in His presence. Our flesh is the greatest enemy to unveiling His holiness. Too often actions are tainted with self and opportunities to make Christ known are sabotaged as we indulge our personal desires. Every aspect of our life needs to be an avenue for us to show the world the holiness of God, a holiness that captivates our life, transforming us and making us more like His Son.
God alone is holy. His holiness in us as believers is what sets us apart and makes us different, Lord willing drawing other to Him. R. C. Sproul has said, "What makes something sacred - what makes something holy - is the touch of God upon it. When the One who is Himself other and different touches that which is ordinary, it becomes extraordinary. When He touches you, you become uncommon. The difference between the profane and the holy is the difference between the common and the uncommon, between the earthly and the heavenly."
Lord, help Your followers to bear witness to Your holiness. May we not fail to live uncommon lives for Your glory!
Quote, The Holiness of God Series, Part 5, The Meaning of Holiness, R. C. Sproul.
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