GOD IS HOLY

November 1 

Because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

The word, “holy” occurs over 900 times in the Bible. Isaiah alone tells us that God is “the Holy One of Israel” more than 50 times. What does it mean that God is holy and how does He expect us to be holy? The word itself means to be set apart, or separated for a particular purpose. When used of God, it means that He is set apart from His creation and from sin. Isaiah 57:15 reads, For thus says the One high and lifted up; who dwells forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place.” God is transcendent above His creation. He is also set apart from sin. In Him, there is no darkness at all. What does that mean for us? As 1 Peter 1:16 states, God expects us to be like Him; set apart from sin. Rather than drawing as close as possible to self-centeredness and trying to walk the line between that and holiness, like a good parent God tells us to stay far away from it. God tells us where to go…what to look out for…and what not to participate in. He also tells us how we can have a deeper, more enjoyable relationship with Him through the work of His Spirit. What is it that you desire the most in your life and for your life? Money? Pleasure? No responsibility? 

Do you know what an ermine is? It is a weasel-like animal with white fur. It is said that an ermine would rather die than soil its white fur. This illustrates how God values purity and separation from sin (holiness). Is that true of you? Do you so value being like God that you would avoid the pollution of sin even to the point of physical death? 

Ike Graham