Remember, we have discovered from the root meaning of the Hebrew word qodesh that holiness means to be set apart from other things to be used exclusively for God’s purposes. Holiness at its core is about uniqueness, distinction.
The holiness of God means that God is unique, truly and absolutely one of a kind, infinitely separated from all that is common or profane, different from all we know, different even than what we can conceive. Holiness is a matter of difference, distinction, and uniqueness.
To live in response to the holiness of God is to pursue His uniqueness. It involves allowing Him to move us from our humanistic thinking, values, and ways. We must be careful not to reduce God to our thinking and concepts of God. We must diligently assure that our concepts of God match with His uniqueness as revealed in the scriptures.
Do not profane my holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. (Leviticus 22:32 NAU)When I begin to think about the awesome uniqueness of God, I am struck with a series of questions, “Do I really see God as infinitely unique?” “Do I really treat God like He is the one -and-only, unique God of all creation?” “Do I really act like He is God or do I act like He’s just a little bit better version of me?”
That last question might seem almost blasphemous, and if it was a statement and not a question, it would be. But I must be honest. Sometimes the way I treat God isn’t any better than I would expect to treat another human being who was just a bit better than me. Quite frankly, I’m not sure I treat God better than I would a human dignitary at times. Does this sound shocking to you? Then perhaps you need to take a closer look at your own heart.
Let me illustrate. If I was going to make a financial decision and I knew someone I rubbed shoulders with every day was really, really, I mean exceptionally good with financial things, I would seek his advice. If I was considering a career move and I had another close acquaintance who was clearly gifted in guiding people, and giving excellent counsel in matters like this, I would seek her out for advice. If there was someone in my life that I really held in high regard, deeply appreciated, and viewed with great respect, I would look for, excitedly anticipate, and greatly enjoy spending time with him. I would be careful not to dishonor him, hurt him, disrespect him. I would want to please him, protect him from unkindness, make him happy. I would count it a profound privilege and be greatly humbled by the honor of knowing this man and having a personal relationship with him.
Now, if I would act this way toward human beings, and I honestly believe I would, what does this say about how I act toward God who is infinitely more special, unique, one-or-a-kind? Do I deeply cherish and value Him as my Father, friend, and counselor? Do I really have a sense that it is an unspeakably profound privilege and honor to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him? Am I determined to honor Him and do I have a healthy fear of dishonoring Him? Do I act like I can disregard and ignore Him, speak little of Him or too Him, dishonor Him, disobey Him and with cavalier, indifferent casualness act like its no big deal. Would I even treat a dear friend with such callousness?
We need (I need) to continually refocus our view of God to bring it into a sharp, clear view of the holiness of God. We need to lift our eyes and see the one-and-only majestic, brilliant, marvelous, perfect, infinite, unique God of all glory. We need to see God, high and lifted up, with the awesome heavenly beings surrounding His throne crying out day and night, “Holy, holy, holy . . .”
We need to fall face down in humble worship, surrender, and absolute honor of Yahweh. Then, we need to get up, and live every moment, in every thought, and in every action to honor and glorify the Holy One.
Be filled with wonder as the people of Israel were:
Look, the LORD our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice from the heart of the fire. Today we have seen that God can speak to us humans, and yet we live! (Deuteronomy 5:24 NLT)Share
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