Deuteronomy 26:19
“He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.”
Today we’ll focus on a different aspect of holiness. It’s part of God’s nature. Isaiah 6:3 says, “And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” These were the angels in God’s throne room.
Part I addressed the concept of holiness as being set apart. Today, we’ll focus on another aspect. This would be the common idea of what holiness is, to be without sin.
Our culture portrays the holy improperly. They are portrayed as prudish people who don’t like to have fun. Most would describe the puritans as an austere, joyless group. If holy ones are portrayed in movies, they aren’t sympathetic characters. They are more judgmental. Holiness isn’t seen as a desirable quality.
Holiness is connected to purity. 2 Corinthians 7:1 says, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” Everyone would agree that it’s the lack of sin.
Gold is measured in carats. It references how pure it is. The higher the carat number, the greater the amount of gold; 18 carats is 75% gold, while 24 carats is pure gold. Holiness is similar. The sinful part of ourselves is undesirable. There is selfishness, greed, lust, envy and so on. It begins in our minds and gets worked out into our actions. The Lord seeks to cleanse us from this. The Corinthian passage refers to the cleansing process of as becoming holy.
Our culture mistakenly sees this as taking away the fun parts. 1 Peter 4:3,4 describe this perfectly: “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you”. Much of what our culture calls fun is that which destroys lives, health and marriages. Ephesians 5:18 speaks of the trading the worlds way of getting joy (wine) verses God’s way, being filled with the Spirit. The holy one more joyful.
Wrapping the two days discussing holiness and how it’s being set apart as well as being purified by God. Lord, we appreciate Your holiness and are grateful that You are making us more holy.