GOD'S HOLINESS
The Holiness Of GOD
"Who shall not fear thee, O LORD, and glorify THY Name? for YOU only are Holy" (Rev. 15:4). HE only is independently, infinitely, immutably Holy. In Scripture, HE is frequently styled "The Holy ONE." HE is so because the sum of all moral excellency is found in HIM. HE is absolute purity, unsullied even by the shadow of sin. "GOD is light, and in HIM is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Holiness is the very excellency of the divine nature; the great GOD is "glorious in Holiness" (Ex. 15:11). Therefore we read, "YOU are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot not look on iniquity" (Hab. 1:13).
As GOD'S power is the opposite of the native weakness of the creature, as HIS wisdom is in complete contrast from the least defect of understanding or folly, so HIS Holiness is the very antithesis of all moral blemish or defilement. Of old GOD appointed singers in Israel "that should praise the beauty of Holiness’" (2 Chron. 20:21). "Power is God’s hand or arm, omniscience His eye, mercy His bowels, eternity His duration, but Holiness is HIS beauty" (S. Charnock). It is this, supremely, which renders HIM lovely to those who are delivered from sin’s dominion.
A chief emphasis is placed upon this perfection of GOD.
GOD is oftener styled Holy than Almighty, and set forth by this part of HIS dignity more than by any other. This is more fixed on as an epithet to HIS name than any other. You never find it expressed "HIS Mighty Name" or "HIS wise name," but HIS Great Name, and most of all, HIS Holy name. This is the greatest title of honor; in this latter doth the majesty and venerableness of HIS name appear (S. Charnock).
This perfection, as none other, is solemnly celebrated before the throne of heaven, the seraphim crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts" (Isa. 6:3). GOD HIMSELF singles out this perfection, "Once have I sworn by my Holiness" (Ps. 89:35). GOD swears by HIS Holiness because that is a fuller expression of HIMSELF than anything else.
Therefore we are exhorted, "Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of HIS, and give thanks at the remembrance of HIS Holiness" (Ps. 30:4). "This may be said to be a transcendental attribute, that, as it were, runs through the rest, and casts lustre upon them. It is an attribute of attributes" (J. Howe, 1670). Thus we read of "the beauty of the LORD" (Ps. 27:4), which is none other than "the beauty of Holiness" (Ps. 110:3).
As it seems to challenge an excellency above all HIS other perfections, so it is the glory of all the rest: as it is the glory of the Godhead, so it is the glory of every perfection in the Godhead; as HIS power is the strength of them, 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. Should this be sullied, all the rest would lose their honor; as at the same instant the sun should lose its light, it would lose its heat, its strength, its generative and quickening virtue. As sincerity is the lustre of every grace in a Christian, so is purity the splendor of every attribute in the Godhead. His justice is a holy justice, HIS wisdom a Holy wisdom, HIS power a "Holy arm" (Ps. 98:1). HIS truth or promise a "holy promise" (Ps. 105:42). His name, which signifies all His attributes in conjunction, "is holy," (Ps. 103:1) (S. Charnock).
GOD'S Holiness is manifested in HIS works. "The LORD is Righteous in all HIS ways, and Holy in all his works" (Ps. 145:17). Nothing but what is excellent can proceed from HIM. Holiness is the rule of all HIS actions. At the beginning HE pronounced all that He made "very good" (Gen. 1:31), which HE could not have done had there been anything imperfect or unholy in them. Man was made "upright" (Ecclesiastes 7:29), in the image and likeness of his Creator. The angels that fell were created holy, for we are told that they "kept not their first habitation" (Jude 6). Of Satan it is written, "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee" (Ezek. 28:15).
GOD'S Holiness is manifested in His Law. That Law forbids sin in all of its modifications—in its most refined, as well as its grossest forms, the intent of the mind as well as the pollution of the body, the secret desire as well as the overt act. Therefore we read, "Thy law is Holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" (Rom. 7:12). Yes, "the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether" (Ps. 19:8,9).
GOD'S Holiness is manifested at the cross. Wondrously, and yet most solemnly does the atonement display GOD'S infinite Holiness and abhorrence of sin. How hateful must sin be to GOD for HIM to punish it to its utmost desserts when it was imputed to HIS SON!
Not all the vials of judgment that have or shall be poured out upon the wicked world, nor the flaming furnace of a sinner’s conscience, nor the irreversible sentence pronounced against the rebellious demons, nor the groans of the damned creatures, give such a demonstration of GOD'S hatred of sin, as the wrath of God let loose upon HIS SON. Never did Divine Holiness appear more beautiful and lovely than at the time our Savior’s countenance was most marred in the midst of His dying groans. This HIMSELF acknowledges in Psalm 22. When GOD had turned HIS smiling face from Him, and thrust His sharp knife into His heart, which forced that terrible cry from Him, "My GOD, My GOD, why hast thou forsaken me?" HE adores this perfection—"YOU arE Holy," (v. 3) (S. Charnock).
Because GOD is Holy HE hates all sin. HE loves everything which is in conformity to HIS laws, and loathes everything contrary to them. HIS Word plainly declares, "The froward is an abomination to the LORD" (Prov. 3:32). And again, "The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD" (Prov. 15:26). It follows, therefore, that He must necessarily punish sin. Sin can no more exist without demanding His punishment than it can without requiring HIS hatred of it. GOD has often forgiven sinners, but HE never forgives sin; the sinner is only forgiven on the ground of Another having borne his punishment; for "without shedding of blood is no remission" (Heb. 9:22). Therefore we are told "The Lord will take vengeance on HIS adversaries, and HE reserves wrath for His enemies" (Nah. 1:2). For one sin GOD banished our first parents from Eden; for one sin all the posterity of Canaan fell under a curse which remains over them to this day; for one sin Moses was excluded from the promised land; Elisha’s servant smitten with leprosy; Ananias and Sapphira were cut off from the land of the living.
Here we find proof for the divine inspiration of the Scriptures. The unregenerate do not really believe in the holiness of GOD. Their concept of His character is altogether one-sided. They fondly hope that HIS mercy will override everything else. "YOU thought that I was altogether as you" (Ps. 50:21), is GOD'S charge against them. They think only of a god patterned after their own evil hearts, hence their continuance in a course of mad folly. Such is the Holiness ascribed to the divine nature and character in Scripture that it clearly demonstrates their superhuman origin.
The character attributed to the gods of the ancients and of modern heathendom are the very reverse of that immaculate purity which pertains to the true GOD. An ineffably Holy GOD, who has the utmost abhorrence of all sin, was never invented by any of Adam’s fallen descendants! The fact is that nothing reveals more of the terrible depravity of man’s heart and his enmity against the living GOD than to have set before him One who in infinitely and immutably holy. HIS own idea of sin is practically limited to what the world calls crime. Anything short of that, man palliates as "defects," "mistakes," "infirmities." And even where sin is owned at all, man makes excuses and extenuations for it.
The GOD which the vast majority of professing Christians love, is looked upon very much like an indulgent old man, who HIMSELF has no relish for folly, but leniently winks at the indiscretions of youth. But the Word says, "Thou hates all workers of iniquity" (Ps. 5:5). And again, "GOD is angry with the wicked every day" (Ps. 7:11). But men refuse to believe in this GOD, and gnash their teeth when HIS hatred of sin is faithfully pressed upon their attention. No, sinful man was no more likely to devise a Holy GOD than to create the lake of fire in which he will be tormented forever and ever.
Because GOD is Holy, acceptance with HIM on the ground of creature doings is utterly impossible. A fallen creature could sooner create a world than produce that which would meet the approval of infinite Purity. Can darkness dwell with light? Can the Immaculate One take pleasure in "filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6)? The best that sinful man brings forth is defiled. A corrupt tree cannot bear good fruit. GOD would deny HIMSELF, vilify HIS perfections, were HE to account as righteous and holy that which is not so in itself; and nothing is so which has the least stain upon it contrary to the nature of GOD. But that which HIS Holiness demanded HIS Grace has provided in CHRIST JESUS our LORD. Every poor sinner who has fled to HIM for refuge stands, "accepted in the beloved" (Eph. 1:6).
Because GOD is Holy, the utmost reverence becomes our approaches to HIM. "GOD is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all about him" (Ps. 89:7). Then, "Exalt ye the LORD our GOD, and worship at his footstool; he is Holy" (Ps. 99:5). Yes, "at HIS footstool," in the lowest posture of humility, prostrate before HIM. When Moses would approach unto the burning bush, GOD said, "put off thy shoes from off thy feet" (Ex. 3:5). HE is to be served "with fear" (Ps. 2:11). Of Israel HIS demand was, "I will be sanctified in them that come nigh ME, and before all the people I will be glorified" (Lev. 10:3). The more our hearts are awed by HIS ineffable Holiness, the more acceptable will be our approaches to HIM
Because GOD is holy, we should desire to be conformed to HIM. HIS command is, "Be ye Holy, for I AM Holy" (1 Pet. 1:16). We are not bidden to be Omnipotent or Omniscient as GOD is, but we are to be Holy, and that "in all manner of deportment" (1 Pet. 1:15). "This is the prime way of honoring GOD. We do not so glorify GOD by elevated admirations, or eloquent expressions, or pompous services of Him, as when we aspire to a conversing with Him with unstained spirits, and live to HIM in living like HIM" (S. Charnock). Then as GOD alone is the source and fount of Holiness, let us earnestly seek Holiness from HIM; let our daily prayer be that HE may "sanctify us wholly; and our whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST" (1 Thess. 5:23). -AW PINK-
-Scripture-
Leviticus 11:44- For I AM the LORD your GOD. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I AM Holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground.
Leviticus 19:2- Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your GOD AM Holy.
Joshua 24:19a- But Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD, for HE is a Holy GOD. He is a Jealous GOD; HE will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.
1 Samuel 6:20- Then the men of Beth-shemesh said, "Who is able to stand before The LORD, This Holy GOD? And to whom shall HE go up away from us?
1 Chronicles 16:10- Glory in HIS Holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Job 6:10- This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the
HOLY ONE
Psalm 22:3- Yet YOU are Holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Psalm 47:8- GOD reigns over the nations; GOD sits on HIS Holy Throne.
Psalm 60:6- GOD has spoken in HIS Holiness: "With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Vale of Succoth.
Psalm 89:35- Once for all I have sworn by MY Holiness; I will not lie to David.
Psalm 98:1- A Psalm. Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for HE has done marvelous things! HIS Right Hand and HIS Holy Arm have worked salvation for him
Psalm 111:9- HE sent redemption to HIS people; HE has commanded HIS covenant forever. Holy and Awesome is HIS Name!
Proverbs 9:10- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy ONE is insight.
Hosea 11:9- For I am GOD not a man, THE HOLY ONE in your midst.
Isaiah 5:16- But the LORD of hosts is exalted in Justice, and the Holy God shows HIMSELF Holy in Righteousness.
Isaiah 6:3- And one called to another and said: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!
Isaiah 29:19- The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy ONE of Israel.
Isaiah 29:23- For when HE sees HIS children, the work of MY hands, in HIS midst, they will sanctify MY Name; they will sanctify the Holy ONE of Jacob and will stand in Awe of the GOD of Israel
Isaiah 40:18- To whom then will you liken GOD, or what likeness compare with HIM???
Isaiah 40:25- To whom then will you compare ME, that I should be like him??? says THE HOLY ONE...
Isaiah 41:14- Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I AM The ONE who helps you, declares The LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy ONE of Israel.
Isaiah 43:14-15- Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy ONE of Israel: "For your sake I send to Babylon and bring them all down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice, I AM The LORD, your Holy ONE, The Creator of Israel, your KING.
Isaiah 46:5- To whom will you liken ME and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike???
Isaiah 47:4- Our Redeemer--The LORD of hosts is HIS Name-- is The Holy ONE of Israel.
Isaiah 49:7- Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, [and] HIS Holy ONE, to HIM whom man despise, to HIM whom the nation abhor, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is Faithful, [and] the Holy ONE of Israel, and HE shall choose thee.
Isaiah 52:10- The LORD hath made bare HIS Holy Arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our GOD.
Isaiah 55:8,9- For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways declares The LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways and MY thoughts than your thought.
Isaiah 57:15- For thus saith the High and Lofty ONE that inhabit eternity, WHOSE Name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Ezekiel 36:21-22- But I had pity for MINE Holy Name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the LORD GOD; I do not [this] for your sake, O house of Israel, but for MINE Holy Name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
Ezekiel 39:7- So will I make MY Holy Name known in the midst of MY people Israel; and I will not [let them]
pollute MY Holy Name any more: and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, the Holy ONE in Israel.
Jeremiah 44:6-8- There is no other god besides ME, who is like ME??? Let him proclaim it... Let him declare and set it before me.
Jeremiah 49:19-20- For who is like ME??? Who will summon ME??? What shepherd can stand before ME???
Habakkuk 1:12,13- Are YOU not from Everlasting, O LORD my GOD, my Holy ONE? We shall not die. O LORD, YOU have ordained them as a judgment, and YOU, O Rock, have established them for reproof. YOU who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do YOU idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?
Luke 1:49- For HE WHO is Mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is HIS Name.
John 17:11- And I AM no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I AM coming to you. Holy FATHER, keep them in YOUR Name, which YOU have given ME, that they may be one, even as WE are ONE.
1 John 2:20- But you have been anointed by The Holy ONE, and you all have knowledge.
Rev 4:8- And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord GOD Almighty, who was and is and is to come!
Rev 6:10- They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign LORD, Holy and True, how long before YOU will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?
Rev 15:4- Who will not fear, O LORD, and Glorify YOUR Name? For YOU alone ARE Holy. All nations will come and worship YOU, for YOUR Righteous acts have been revealed.
-Incomparable-
Exodus 15:11- Who is like YOU, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like YOU, Majestic in Holiness, Awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
1 Samuel 2:2- There is none Holy like the LORD; there is none besides YOU; there is no Rock like our GOD.
Job 4:17-19- 'Can mortal man be in the right before GOD? Can a man be pure before his MAKER? Even in HIS servants he puts no trust, and HIS angels he charges with error; how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like the moth.
-Without Iniquity-
Deuteronomy 32:4- "The ROCK, HIS Work is Perfect, for all HIS ways are Justice. A GOD of Faithfulness and without Iniquity, Just and Upright is HE.
2 Chronicles 19:7- Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our GOD, or partiality or taking bribes.
Job 34:14- Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from GOD that he should do wickedness, and from the ALMIGHTY that HE should do wrong.
Job 36:23- Who has prescribed for HIM HIS way, or who can say, 'YOU have done wrong'?
Psalm 92:15- To declare that the LORD is upright; HE is my ROCK, and there is no Unrighteousness in HIM.
Jeremiah 2:5- Thus says the LORD: "What wrong did your fathers find in ME that they went far from ME, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?
Lamentations 3:38- Is it not from the mouth of the MOST HIGH that good and bad come?
Mark 10:18- And JESUS said to him, "Why do you call ME Good? No one is Good except GOD alone.
James 1:13- Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by GOD," for GOD cannot be tempted with evil, and HE himself tempts no one.
-A Reason For Personal Holiness-
Leviticus 11:44- For I am the LORD your GOD. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I AM Holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground.
Leviticus 19:2- Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your GOD AM Holy.
Leviticus 20:26- You shall be holy to ME, for I the LORD AM Holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be MINE.
Matthew 5:48- You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly FATHER is Perfect.
1 Peter 14:-16- As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as HE who called you IS Holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I AM Holy.
-A Reason For Thanksgiving-
Psalm 30:4- Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to HIS Holy Name.
Psalm 99:3,5,9- Let them praise YOUR Great and Awesome Name! Holy IS HE!
Psalm 99:5- Exalt the LORD our GOD; worship at HIS Footstool! Holy IS HE!
Psalm 99:9- Exalt the LORD our GOD, and worship at HIS Holy Mountain; for the LORD our GOD IS Holy!
Isaiah 12:6- Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst IS The Holy ONE of Israel.
-A Reason For Reverent Approach To GOD-
Exodus 3:5- Then HE said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is Holy ground.
Joshua 5:15- And the commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, "Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is Holy." And Joshua did so.