Holy

This year I have found that one of my favourite worship songs is Holy Forever. The words "and the angels cried Holy, Holy" have really resonated with me. It's made me really think about the Holiness of God and what that means.

In the times that we live in, we often view God as a loving Father. A Father who holds us close and wipes every tear. Yet He is so much more. He is Holy.

I have been considering what the nature of Holiness is. The Hebrew word for ‘Holy’ means ‘separate’ or ‘set apart’. God is set apart from humankind. When we speak or read about the Holiness of God, we are hearing about the perfection and purity of God. He has no darkness or sin but instead, everything He does is good. He is perfect. God is who He is.

In Revelations 4:8-11, we are told about the four winged creatures who cry out continuously, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come". It is important to note that they choose the word Holy to describe God. They could have chosen numerous words to describe Him, from good, faithful, loving, for example, but the word that is chosen to declare who God is repeatedly is Holy. It sets God apart from us. For there is no one like our God, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” He is Holy.

The Holiness of who God is cannot be questioned as the creator and "I am". We can only stand in awe at the nature of our Holy God. Yet in 1 Peter 1:15-16, it says: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”” As believers of Jesus, we are set apart from the world. The world around us is removed from the teachings of Jesus, where for example promiscuity, wealth and people's so called own truth to name but a few are guiding factors in people's lives. We are called to be different. When we meet with Jesus for that first time, our old selves are to be put aside. Instead we have a new life in Jesus - one where we are now in the light instead of darkness. We are told to think, speak and act differently. We put "on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:24.

One of the greatest testimonies we can give for God is to live our lives according to His will. Do not be consumed by the darkness of the world's guiding principles of consumerism, promiscuity and convenience. Live a life of holiness - a better life that shows the world who Jesus is. God calls you to live that better life - a Holy life.