When we consider the God of creation, we see an infinite being in knowledge, wisdom, power, justice, and righteousness. However, the essential attribute is holiness. Holiness is necessary to God’s existence.

Defining Holiness as God’s Essential Attribute

God’s holiness is of primary moral importance in relation to other attributes. It’s the centerpiece of God’s attributes, not suggesting greater importance, but fundamental. Even a study will quickly highlight its place in scripture.

Holiness as the Core of God’s Being

Holiness defines God’s very essence, distinguishing Him from all creation. It permeates His attributes, influencing His actions and character. Recognizing God’s holiness is vital; losing sight of it diminishes our awareness of what is holy. Consequently, we may lose the realization that anything is holy or unholy. This loss extends to our perception of sinfulness and the need for God’s grace, therefore, we should be aware of God’s holiness and always seek it in our lives. Holiness is the core and the base of God’s being.

The Impact of God’s Holiness on Humanity

Encountering God’s holiness reveals our true selves. A deep sense of awe overwhelms us in His majestic presence. Indifference becomes impossible when confronted by God’s holiness. Only in His holiness can we truly see.

Awareness of Sin and Need for Grace

God’s holiness highlights the vast difference between His perfection and our imperfection. When we lose sight of God’s holiness, we lose the sense of what is holy and unholy. This leads to a diminished awareness of our own sinfulness and our desperate need for God’s grace. Recognizing God’s holiness brings us to a deeper understanding of our shortcomings and our dependence on His mercy. It is through this recognition that we can truly appreciate the gift of grace offered through Jesus Christ. Holiness reveals our need.

Biblical Examples of God’s Holiness

Scripture gives much attention to God’s holiness. Exodus 15 shows a great picture of God’s holiness as Moses and the sons of Israel sing about their deliverance from Pharaoh and his army.

Isaiah’s Vision and Recognition of Unworthiness

Isaiah’s vision offers a deep sense of awe at the greatness of God’s majesty. Encountering God in His holiness allows us to see ourselves as we really are. Overwhelmed by a glimpse of God’s holiness, Isaiah became profoundly aware of his own unclean and unworthy nature. It’s impossible for a Christian to be indifferent when confronted by God’s holiness, recognizing our need for God’s grace.

Exodus 15: A Song of Deliverance and Holiness

Exodus 15 shows a picture of God’s holiness as Moses and the sons of Israel sing about their deliverance from Pharaoh and his army. The singers recited poetic anthropomorphisms, figures of speech that ascribe human characteristics to God. In verse 11, the song asks, “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness?”

Holiness and God’s Actions

Holiness is the result of God’s Justice and Righteousness, regulating His actions towards man. Divine Holiness is the term for God’s actions being governed by divine excellence, ensuring consistency and faithfulness in His dealings.

Justice and Righteousness in God’s Actions

God’s holiness is intrinsically linked to His justice and righteousness; These attributes work together, ensuring that God’s actions are always morally perfect and consistent with His nature. His justice demands that He deals with sin appropriately, while His righteousness ensures that He always acts in accordance with what is right and good.

This combination of justice and righteousness in God’s actions demonstrates His holiness, setting Him apart and establishing Him as the ultimate standard of moral perfection.

These qualities regulate God’s actions toward humanity.

R.C. Sproul’s Perspective on the Holiness of God

R.C. Sproul emphasizes God’s holiness as central to the Christian life. He presents an awe-inspiring view of God, encouraging Christians to pursue holiness, reflecting God’s own character in their lives.

Central Place in Christian Life

R.C. Sproul’s work underscores the paramount importance of God’s holiness within the Christian life. He argues it should occupy a central position, influencing our understanding of sin, grace, and our relationship with God. By recognizing God’s holiness, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our need for His mercy. This recognition transforms our perspective, leading to a more profound and meaningful Christian experience. It guides us towards becoming more like God, reflecting His character in our actions and thoughts. God’s holiness is fundamental to Christian life.

Encouragement to Become Holy

Sproul’s work serves as an inspiration, urging Christians to actively pursue holiness in their lives, mirroring God’s own holiness. Encountering God’s holiness transforms lives, motivating believers to strive for moral purity and righteousness. This transformative experience calls for a conscious effort to align our thoughts, actions, and desires with God’s character. The pursuit of holiness involves recognizing our imperfections and relying on God’s grace to overcome them. Ultimately, this journey leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling Christian existence. We are to become more like Him.

The Church and the Holiness of God

The church is at its strongest when it recognizes and honors the holiness of God. Losing a sense of God’s holiness leads to losing realization of anything being holy, impacting the church’s strength.

Strength in Recognizing and Honoring God’s Holiness

The church derives its strength from recognizing and honoring God’s holiness. When a community of believers understands and appreciates the profound holiness of God, it fosters a deep sense of reverence and awe. This reverence shapes the community’s worship, teaching, and interactions, leading to a stronger, more unified body. Conversely, a diminished sense of God’s holiness can weaken the church, causing it to lose its unique identity. It fosters a greater focus on the temporal rather than the eternal, and reduces its impact on the world around it.

Holiness and Other Attributes of God

Holiness is combined with God’s Justice and Righteousness, regulating actions toward humanity. It’s the sum of divine excellence, ensuring consistency in God’s faithfulness. Divine Holiness is the term for God’s actions governed by moral perfection.

Holiness vs. Love

The holiness of God is of primary moral importance in relation to other attributes, not love, as popularly believed. This isn’t to suggest holiness is of greater importance. Even a cursory study of the Bible will quickly lead one to the conclusion that God’s holiness is central to His character.

Many today avoid the topic because people don’t quite know what to do with words like awe or fear. Encountering God’s holiness transforms lives, prompting us to become holy, mirroring His divine nature, and showing us our sinful nature.

Experiencing God’s Holiness

Only as we encounter God in His holiness can we see ourselves as we really are. Confronted by the holiness of God, a deep sense of awe at the greatness of His majesty becomes present.

Awe and Transformation

Encountering God’s holiness evokes a profound sense of awe. Isaiah’s vision exemplifies this, revealing his unclean nature upon glimpsing God’s holiness. This realization fosters a dependence upon God’s mercy. The awesomeness of His majestic holiness transforms individuals, reshaping their understanding of sin, grace, and justice.
Once you encounter the holiness of God, your life will never be the same. This encounter leads to a deeper understanding of our need for God’s grace, and a new awareness of our dependence upon God’s mercy.

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