Holiness

One of the things I like about reading the Old Testament is seeing the holiness of God. Sometimes I forget who God really is. Jesus taught us to think of God as Father (Matthew 6:9), and even more intimately as daddy (Mark 14:36, Galatians 4:6). Jesus calls believers friends (John 15:15) and Paul assures us of our adoption into the family of God (Ephesians 1:5).

God didn't want the children of Israel to forget who He really is. So as God gives instruction to Moses about Aaron and his sons, about the altar and the sacrifices, about the incense and anointing oil, He tells Moses they are holy, it is holy, it shall become holy or it is most holy to the Lord. Not just anyone could approach God because He is so holy. (Exodus 29-30) Later they will be taught that God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. (Deuteronomy 4:24)

Jesus changed the need for sacrifice when He died on the cross (Revelation 1:5) and the curtain in the temple was torn (Mark 15:37-39). Direct access to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son with the help of the Holy Spirit was given to all who have called on the name of the Lord. However, the majestic holiness of our God and Father, the consuming fire jealous God, was not diminished one bit. He may be Daddy but He is still God and as such demands attitudes and a lifestyle of respect and a sense of awe that He would even stoop down to earth to concern Himself with us.

The Bible tells us "be holy, as I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16 Leviticus 19:2). It also tells us to strive for holiness "without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14) Since God is the picture of holiness, I need to understand - by reading the Old Testament - what holiness looks like. Everything that was set aside for God's purposes was redeemed and made holy. The same is true for me. I have been redeemed and set aside for God's purposes by the cross of Jesus Christ. So I must act and think and speak and live in such a way that holiness becomes a natural part of my life. How? Read the Bible and do what it says!