GOD is HOLY

By

Michael C. McCormick

Christians worship and serve a HOLY GOD.  The dictionary defines holiness, especially as I would relate it to God, in this way: “. . . characterized by perfection and transcendence [beyond the limits of all possible experience and knowledge]”; His holiness “commands absolute adoration and reverence [profound honor or respect felt and/or shown]”.

Do you remember all those essays you had to write in school?  Then you probably remember the term “Thesis Statement”.  Well, this is my Thesis Statement: “You will never be able to apply or even comprehend the mercy and grace of God through Jesus Christ unless you first consider (inasmuch as is possible while in this body) His glorious holiness, perfect purity, and righteous justice and judgment.”  Why?  Because to perceive His “transcendence” is to be acutely aware of your decadence and to experience His “holiness” is to crumble in your unworthiness.

Many times throughout history men have spurned and blasphemed the holiness of the Lord God by raising themselves in pride . . . and they acted carelessly . . . They did not fear, or as we like to say, “revere” (as if He need not be feared) God and they treated His transcendent holiness and exalted glory lightly.  For this, they paid dearly!  The Bible records some of these incidences for our “consideration” (I begin with a clear command and warning):

• “You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name.  You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.” (Deut. 6:13-15) *
• “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said to Aaron, "It is what the LORD spoke, saying, By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.'" So Aaron, therefore, kept silent.”  (Lev. 10:1-3)
• “And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the LORD of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim.  They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart.  So they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Ahio was walking ahead of the ark.  Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals.  But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it.  And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. “  (2 Sam. 6:1-7)
• “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.  With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.  Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?  Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."  When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.  And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.  Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.  About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.  Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?"  "Yes," she said, "that is the price."  Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."  At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.  Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”  (Acts 5:1-11)
• “Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while.  He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king's country for their food supply.  On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.  They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man."  Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”  (Acts 12:19b-23)

So, what is the point of these verses, that if we don’t approach God in just the right way He is ready and able to snuff us out like dripping candles?  It’s true that He could do that . . . and in light of His holiness, He would be justified.  But, we don’t want to hear that do we?  That’s so negative.  We want to know that God loves us . . . no matter what . . . Then what is the point?  Simply, He is the transcendent Lord God Almighty who is exalted over all that was, is, and ever shall be!  Hence, He is worthy of honor, glory, and praise.  And, yes, He is to be feared and revered!  Consider these verses as well:

• “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:28-29)
• “For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY” And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE."  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb. 10:30-31)

I’ll never forget a discussion I had with two Christians I knew many years ago.  We were asking the question of each other, “What will you do when you see Jesus?  One of the guys responded, “I’m going to run up and jump into His lap and . . .” Wait a minute, maybe it was just me but that came across as so arrogant.  I mean, John, one of the Twelve, was known as the “disciple whom Jesus loved”—they were close, man!—but after he saw Jesus exalted in heaven, he reveals in Revelation that he “fell at His feet as though dead”.  I think there’s a little discrepancy here . . . Hey, I want to be the guy who, like John, gets to lean on Jesus chest too (being near His heart), but let’s have a little respect . . .

The problem seems to be that the Church (especially in America) is obese.  Hang on, am I saying that the Church has been eating too many doughnuts and not getting enough exercise?  Although that is absolutely true, I am actually talking about spiritual obesity.  Specifically, we have been made fat on grace, and mercy, and the love of God.  Don’t misunderstand, God is love, we are all saved by grace, and without His mercy I don’t even dare imagine where we would be!  But, somewhere along the way the “Church” as a whole has become like children who eat only sweets; expect to get whatever they want whenever they want it; are never told, “No”; and throw a tantrum when they are disciplined.  Look, don’t think wrong of me, I love the Church—for over thirty years I’ve loved her, the Bride!  I’ve prayed for her with many tears, served her in many different ways, and dedicated my life to her as a proud life-time member . . . and will continue to do so!  God knows that I am not lying and He bares witness to this in that He made me one of her ministers . . .

But, when I hear that seventy percent of pastors look at internet porn, then I know that the Church is obese!

Or, when, in a conversation with a PK (Preacher’s Kid), he reveals that his father, who is the associate-pastor of a very well known Christian denomination, got a tattoo and is encouraging him and his friends to also get them (of Bible verses, crosses, and likenesses of Jesus, of course . . . excuse me while I puke!), then I say the Church has been infiltrated by a bunch of spoiled brats!  Am I saying that Christians sin if they get a tattoo?  Yeah, duh! **

Or, when I read that the divorce rate among ”Christians”  is almost equal to that of unbelievers, then I say that the Church better get back to “fearing” the Lord and not just “reverencing” Him!

And, when I see that, in spite of crystal-clear teaching from the Word of God on the Unpardonable Sin, the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit being treated by “Christians” and pagans alike as just another “missing-of-the-mark” (They say that the only reason it might not be forgiven is because the person doesn’t want to be forgiven, therefore, leaving the “pardon” completely up to the offender—who cares that the offended is the very own HOLY Spirit of Almighty God!), then I know the Church of Jesus Christ needs a fresh revelation of the holiness of God!  Yes, that’s right I said it: There is a sin that carries with it death, followed by the curse of eternal condemnation; and, if you took one moment to consider who God’s Holy Spirit is and the honor that the Father and Jesus give Him, then you would know it must be true that to speak a word against Him and His gifts and ministry means unalterable physical and spiritual death . . . no matter what you’ve been taught!

Disrespect toward the holiness of God can also show itself in something as seemingly innocent as arriving late to church.  I would ask you, Late-comer, “Do you not at all feel grieved to tap on that worshipper’s shoulder and say, ‘Excuse me’, even though their eyes are closed and arms are raised as they sing?  Don’t you care that you interrupted the sweet fellowship between God and one of His children just so you can find a seat?”  I have visited more than one church where violators showed up ten, even fifteen minutes late, distracting everyone else as they go . . . and the Pastor says nothing!  How far we have fallen when the time of worship and praise in music and song (at the beginning of most protestant church services) is treated with less value than the preaching; but, if people don’t worship, then how will they ever receive the Word and be changed by it?  Impossible!  I have seen this many times at the end of church services, as well, as men and women, hungry for God, go forward and kneel at the altar while behind them the insensitive foolish and faithless chatter about NOTHING!  And the Pastor still remains quiet . . .

Oh Bride of Christ, aren’t we taught that even though we are set free in Jesus we must not use our liberty as an opportunity to sin (or cause our brother to stumble), saying in our hearts, “I’m just a man, God will forgive me”?  So, tell me, when a man or woman sins with this attitude in their hearts, what kind of repentance can be mustered up and presented to God?  Oh yeah, I forgot, it’s all covered by His grace . . . I actually heard a Pastor once say, “I never give place to guilt”.  I say that we must embrace conviction and allow sorrow and time for grieving when we sin against our great and holy God.  How much time?  As long as it takes!

• “For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it--for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while--I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.  For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Cor. 7:8-10)
• “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”  (James 4:8-10)

David Wilkerson, of The Cross and the Switchblade fame, once said, “There’s no grace without disgrace, its impossible!”  What a difference between that statement and our modern “pop-psychology” form of “Christianity” that is more concerned with raising “self-esteem” then walking in blessed fellowship with God through sincere humility.  Have we forgotten that when we sin without heartfelt repentance we “trample under foot the Son of God, and [have] regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which [we are] sanctified, and [insult] the Spirit of grace”? (Hebrews 10:29)  If that thought scares you as much as it does me, then here is what you must do:

When you sin, take your sorry self to the Lord and in a humble spirit of sorrow, apologize, and don’t leave that position of repentance until “the love of God has been poured out within [your heart] through the Holy Spirit”, your heart cries, 

“Abba! Father!” and you know that God says to you in that moment, “I accept your humble offering and I forgive you child, go your way and sin no more”.  “For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”(2 Cor. 10:18)  And, “For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION."  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. “(Rom. 9:15-16)  Then, and only then, will you find peace that passes all worldly understanding and will walk in a relationship, once broken by your careless rebellion, now fully restored . . . by Him!

• “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!  How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!  When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.  For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.  I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.” (Psalm 32:1-5)

Now, thanksgiving fills your heart because you know that a purely HOLY God has done something so beautiful: He has shown unthinkable lovingkindness to the completely unworthy!  All glory to God and His Son, the Lord Jesus!!!

Footnotes:

*All Bible references are quoted from the highly recommended New American Standard version.

**An excellent on-line article on Tattooing: http://www.av1611.org/tattoos/intro.html

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