Peter 3:15
“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”
As part I was concluding, it was clear there needed to be a day two. We visited a place where God was sanctified in Isaiah 6. It was God’s throne room. Isaiah’s response in being there was to say, Woe is me, I am unclean” (paraphrased).
God is holy. The closer we are to Him, the more we are aware of His holiness. Like seeing Yosemite Valley, His holiness illicites a strong response. The angels that were flying about covered their eyes. It was too magnificent a site.
Holiness has to do with His purity, cleanness and genuineness. It’s at such a high degree, we can’t comprehend it. It’s like gold is measured in carats. It refers to how pure it is. Most gold is mixed with other metals to make it affordable. The higher the carat, the more pure the stone. God’s level of holiness is not measurable in human standards.
Isaiah suddenly felt ill equipped to be in God’s presense. It’s like showing up at a function and being improperly dressed. It’s embarrasing. We want to leave.
Verses 6 & 7 of Isaiah shows the angel cleansing him. We have been forgiven and are positionally prepared to be in His presence. However, our thought life and behavior is often inconsistent with biblical behavior. At some level, we are all unclean.
To sanctify Christ as lord in our hearts is to make it His throne room. We don’t have to tidy up. He’ll bring to our attention what requires work. Don’t let guilt be the inspector. It’s work will never be done and we will never measure up. Rest in His love. We are to respond to God presence as presented in particular areas. We will be prompted. We will want to obey or change.
Lord, thank You that You want to reign in us. Help us to honor You as lord.