Monday, August 4, 2008

Holy, Holy, Holy

"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."
Isaiah 6:3

Holiness is probably the overarching attribute of God. He is Who He is because He is holy. And yet, it is probably the hardest attribute for our sinful human minds to comprehend. I've read many, many attempts at explaining the meaning of holiness and yet no one seems to be able to wrap up the meaning of Holiness in human language.

He is the antithesis to sin. Nothing in the human experience equals the complete absence of something. Light is the antitheses of darkness and yet, even in the light there are shadows. Life is the antithesis of death but life is subject to death in any given moment.

God's holiness banishes the very essence of sin. The two things cannot coincide.

And in the midst of this incomprehensible concept, God says

"Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God."
Leviticus 20:7
"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
1 Peter 1:15-16

As much as is possible, we should strive to live apart from sin. That will keep us busy for some time to come.

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