Identityનમૂનો

Main Idea: What it Means That God is Holy

All of these attributes are summarized in the word "holy". This is the most commonly used word to describe God in the Bible, and it means to be set apart.

There are two ways that God is set apart, and which we are meant to reflect. The first is to be set apart from sin. Imagine a diamond, flawless under the light, no cracks, no smudges, pure perfection. That’s God. God has zero stains, no lies, no selfishness. He’s never done anything wrong. He has always been completely holy too; He has never grown in His character, gone on a spiritual journey towards enlightenment, or become better than He was. Just like if you’re standing at the North Pole and a step in any direction would be a step towards the south, if God were to change His character in any way, He would become worse. He is as good as it gets.

But it doesn’t stop there. God is not passive in His holiness, like someone attempting to quarantine themselves from a disease by ensuring that nothing icky touches them, or like some beautiful statue to be admired but not actually contributing much. God’s holiness is active.

God not only never does anything wrong, but He also always does the best thing. Like creating the world, or dying on a cross for our sins, or loving the unlovable, or forgiving our sins.

Reflection Questions:

• What does it mean to you that God is completely set apart from sin and always does what is best?
• How does understanding God’s active holiness challenge the way you live your own life?
• In what ways can you strive to reflect God’s holiness by being set apart from sin and pursuing what is good?