Holiness of God

Glorious in Holiness

Ken

“Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11 KJV). Doing nothing but comparing Almighty God’s trifecta of holiness as exceeding the glory, praise, and wonder of gods living and dumb is the fulfillment of our human existence. What service more can we give than elevate Yahweh’s set apartness as exceeding greater than any simple opposition to the vacuum of sin’s lack of submission to God? Our God is “majestic in holiness” (15:11 NET). 

Holiness in God is more than the lack of presence of sin, but the elevation of His set apartness flowing from His person. Holiness is more than a reaction to sin, since Yahweh was holy before any transgressed His law, for “sin is the transgression of the law” (1John 3:4 KJV). To extol God’s character as worthy of praise indicates understanding of Him connected with the emotion to “worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (1Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2; 96:9). How can we worship and praise Him for what we little understand? 

May God’s Spirit teach us His character that we may extol Him in heartfelt praise — “majestic in holiness, fearful in praises, working wonders” (Exodus 15:11 NET). More than filling our intellect, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3 KJV). May we do now, what we will do forever. “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). Even so, come Lord Jesus. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Gift of Physical Life

Ken

The ability to sense our surroundings gives us self-awareness, and acknowledging God’s presence is essential to appreciating God’s gift of physical life. “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28 KJV). Laying down our physical life for a selfless cause is both loving and heroic. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). But, the hopeless taking of our own life is both suicide and unpardonable. What then is the best thing to do with our gift of physical life? “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). LORD, You are the giver of all good gifts. May we not consider ourselves as our own, but to be used for whatever gives You the greatest benefit, for then we will have our greatest happiness. Return quickly, and accomplish all your will on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen. 

Come Out From Among Them

Ken

Where does God draw the line for you? When you make a decision to move away from a circumstance, which would cause you to compromise truth you have received, then the LORD will receive you. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2Corinthians 6:17 KJV). Holiness unto the LORD is our set apartness unto God. The Holy Spirit gives us our guidance. How close can we get to God? The question is never how close to the world can you get and still be a Christian? Unless God has your whole heart, you are none of His. “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways” (Proverbs 23:26). Remember the warning to the Professed Christians at Laodicea. “Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:16). Profession is not possession, unless there is heart obedience. LORD, make us to be holy for You are holy. Cause us to see how close we can draw to You, and not the world. Return quickly, and deliver us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Communion of the Holy Spirit

Ken

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen” (2Corinthians 13:14 KJV). We have much more to do with the Holy Spirit than we think. His presence is so pervasive, we tend to discount Him or not make legitimate attempt to account for His work in us. More likely, we think of His influence in more dramatic settings such as Pentecost. But, the Spirit has a small voice, too. To the degree anyone listens to His voice, they are in communion with Him. When someone ceases to commune with Him, then they grieve Him. “Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). Those who continue to the end are the elect of God. LORD, work in our hearts to not grieve Your Spirit. Teach us to treasure Your influence and keep away whatever makes You distant from us. Make us holy, for You are holy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Practicing the Presence of God

Ken

In practicing the presence of God, “let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15 KJV). Our praise will be turning into prayer, which becomes worship — drawing us closer to God. Let us continually act as if we believe the Spirit of Christ is dwelling within us, allowing us to continually commune with Him, and making us sensitive to “grieve not the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30 KJV) with foolish, irreverent, or thoughtless conversation. Father, guide us by Thy Word to think our thoughts as if we were pursuing Thee, and to aspire that our emotions would continually rejoice in Thee. Amen and amen.