Holiness and Sanctification

The Awe-Inspiring Holiness of God: What It Means for Us

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of God’s holiness? Maybe you’ve wondered how an imperfect person like yourself could ever live up to such a lofty standard. If so, you’re not alone. Today, we’re going to explore what it truly means for God to be holy and how that impacts our lives as believers.

The Unique Holiness of God

When we talk about God’s holiness, we’re essentially describing His “Godness” – what makes Him intrinsically different from everything and everyone else. In Revelation 4, we get a glimpse of this awe-inspiring holiness:

“At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.” (Revelation 4:2-3)

This passage paints a picture of God’s perfection through His appearance. The precious stones and rainbow symbolize His purity and glory. But His holiness goes beyond just His appearance:

1. God’s Unique Authority

The throne room scene in Revelation 4 shows God’s supreme authority. Even the 24 elders, who have their own thrones, cast their crowns before Him in worship. This demonstrates that God’s authority is unmatched and absolute.

2. God’s Immense Power

“From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder” (Revelation 4:5). These descriptions showcase God’s overwhelming power and majesty.

3. God’s Eternality

The four living creatures never cease to proclaim, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8). This threefold repetition emphasizes God’s absolute holiness and His eternal nature.

Called to Be Holy

Now, here’s where it gets personal for us. God didn’t just create us to admire His holiness from afar. He created us to be holy as well. In 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul writes:

“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours”

But how can we, as imperfect humans, possibly live up to this calling? The answer lies in Jesus Christ.

Jesus: The Source of Our Holiness

Here’s the beautiful truth of the gospel: we don’t have to strive to make ourselves holy. Instead, we are “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:2). When we put our faith in Christ, His perfect holiness is credited to our account. We are declared holy because of His work, not our own efforts.

This doesn’t mean we stop pursuing holiness in our daily lives. Rather, it means we pursue it from a place of already being accepted and loved by God. We grow in holiness by relying on Christ’s power working in us, not by our own strength.

The Promise of Future Perfection

While we still struggle with sin and imperfection in this life, we have a glorious hope for the future. Revelation 21:2-4 paints a beautiful picture of our ultimate destination:

“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband… He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

One day, we will be fully holy, just as God is holy. All traces of sin and its effects will be removed, and we’ll dwell in perfect fellowship with our holy God.

Life Application: Living in Light of God’s Holiness

So how do we apply these truths to our daily lives? Here are some practical steps:

1. Cultivate awe: Regularly meditate on God’s holiness through Scripture and worship. Let it inspire reverence and wonder in your heart.
2. Embrace your identity: Remember that in Christ, you are already declared holy. Live from this place of acceptance, not striving to earn God’s love.
3. Pursue growth: While resting in Christ’s finished work, actively cooperate with the Holy Spirit in becoming more like Jesus. Confess sin quickly and turn from it.
4. Hope in the future: When you struggle with ongoing sin or the effects of living in a fallen world, remember the promise of future perfection. Let this hope encourage you to persevere.
5. Reflect God’s holiness: As you grow in holiness, look for ways to demonstrate God’s character to those around you through love, justice, and mercy.

Remember, the journey of holiness is not about perfection, but progress. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2), we can trust that He will complete the good work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6).