To answer that question, let’s look first at how God defines Himself:
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." Exodus 34: 6, 7
This is the passage of scripture that is most quoted by (or repeated in) scripture. That tells me it’s worth paying close attention to. We should closely examine our concept of God to see if who we think God is lines up with who God says He is.
And then it’s helpful to look at who others say He is. Those who dwell closest to Him in the throne room of Heaven, the mighty angels, who see Him much more clearly and truthfully than we do, declare this:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." – Isaiah 6:3b
It seems to me we like to think of the attributes of God’s character that most benefit us. But I pray that we would have a far deeper love for and appreciation of God’s holiness. I borrowed the following snippet from “The Souls of Men":
“Holiness is the glory of all the Divine perfections… Holiness is the distinctive glory of the Godhead: as Howe termed it, “an attribute of attributes, casting lustre upon the others.” As God’s power is the strength of His perfections, so His holiness is the beauty of them: as all would be weak without almightiness to back them, so all would be uncomely without holiness to adorn them.”
And here’s another statement about God’s holiness from Jonathan Edwards that God has used to truly change my life, from the inside out:
“It is most evident by the Works of God, that his understanding and power are infinite. . . . Being thus infinite in understanding and power, he must also be perfectly holy; for unholiness always argues some defect, some blindness. Where there is no darkness or delusion, there can be no unholiness. . . . God being infinite in power and knowledge, he must be self-sufficient and all-sufficient; therefore it is impossible that he should be under any temptation to do any thing amiss; for he can have no end in doing it. . . . So God is essentially holy, and nothing is more impossible than that God should do amiss.”
And then it’s helpful to look at who others say He is. Those who dwell closest to Him in the throne room of Heaven, the mighty angels, who see Him much more clearly and truthfully than we do, declare this:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." – Isaiah 6:3b
It seems to me we like to think of the attributes of God’s character that most benefit us. But I pray that we would have a far deeper love for and appreciation of God’s holiness. I borrowed the following snippet from “The Souls of Men":
“Holiness is the glory of all the Divine perfections… Holiness is the distinctive glory of the Godhead: as Howe termed it, “an attribute of attributes, casting lustre upon the others.” As God’s power is the strength of His perfections, so His holiness is the beauty of them: as all would be weak without almightiness to back them, so all would be uncomely without holiness to adorn them.”
And here’s another statement about God’s holiness from Jonathan Edwards that God has used to truly change my life, from the inside out:
“It is most evident by the Works of God, that his understanding and power are infinite. . . . Being thus infinite in understanding and power, he must also be perfectly holy; for unholiness always argues some defect, some blindness. Where there is no darkness or delusion, there can be no unholiness. . . . God being infinite in power and knowledge, he must be self-sufficient and all-sufficient; therefore it is impossible that he should be under any temptation to do any thing amiss; for he can have no end in doing it. . . . So God is essentially holy, and nothing is more impossible than that God should do amiss.”
This is my God, the God I love, the God I serve, the God Who fills my life with joy and purpose. I’m enjoying getting to know Him more, every day, and am filled with anticipation because I realize that this… This is just the beginning.
2 comments:
Hi Mel :)
Very interesting, informative, inspiring post.
You are really taking lot of pains to explain God, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH AND ALL THINGS THAT LIVE IN IT.
Many thanks.
Have a nice day :)
Hi Joseph!
What can I say? It's been burning in my heart, and the only way to ease the burning, is to proclaim the message. :)
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