HOLINESS
God is perfect, completely separate from sin
His holiness is understood in two different ways:
God is separated (apart) from all that is created – this is referred to as God’s transcendence.
Exodus 15:11
“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?”
God is separated from all sin, anything that is wrong, or ethically unclean. God is morally pure.
When many ask the question, “Why did God let this happen? If He really loved me then . . .” they are questioning the holiness of God. They either don’t know or cannot understand that God is PERFECT (God can’t sin/make mistakes!).
Jeremiah 32:35
“And they built the high places of Baal which are in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I did not command them, nor did it come into My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.” (emphasis added)
So God did not/cannot make a mistake! It is impossible for a holy God to do anything or even think anything that is not perfect or pure.
The fault is not on God but is on us as we do not respond in a way that is consistent with His will for our lives. We are to be HOLY as He is holy!
1 Corinthians 10:31
” Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:9
” Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”
This begs the question, ” Which do we want more? to be holy (like Christ) or to be happy?”
Application to various life situations
John Chapter 6 provides an account of a conflicting expectations in life see vs. 15-26.
How does the holiness of God impact the way we address disappointments, trials, hardships?
While the circumstance would be the same, how would life be different if one viewed life through God’s sovereignty and sinlessness (holiness)?
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Mark 12:30 The great commandment (love God) and the second commandment (love neighbor).
Oxford Valley Chapel Counseling Center
Dr. Dan Skogen, and Robin Skogen, are our Biblical Counselors. You can see all their bios on the Biblical Counselors page.
To schedule an appointment, ask a question, or just find out more information about our counseling program, call our church office at (215) 946-3946 or send us an email.