Happy almost September sweet friends!
The plan this month is one I so enjoyed working on,
Holiness of God
1 Peter 1:15-16 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.”
This command (not suggestion!) in 1 Peter is simple. We aren't commanded to be all knowing or all powerful like God is, but to be holy like God is holy.
Isaiah 6:3 says:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Did you notice that Isaiah didn't just say holy one time, but three? It's the only attribute that is repeated in this way which tells us it is important. It wasn't enough to say God was holy, he had to repeat it three times for emphasis. It's like what I do if I am explaining to my husband that "I saw a huge, huge, huge spider!" to get him to understand how big it truly was. In the same way, "holy, holy, holy" is meant to stretch the boundaries of our imaginations. Whatever we think of when we hear that God is holy, He is more holy. He is an entirely different category of holiness and is much holier than we could ever imagine.
So what does it mean that God is holy? I love this quote by AA Hodge about holiness:
“The holiness of God is not to be conceived of as one attribute among others. It is rather a general term representing the conception of God’s consummate perfection and total glory. It is His infinite moral perfection crowning His infinite intelligence and power.”
RL Dabney once said that holiness isn't a single attribute but instead it's a result of all God's perfection together. Every representation of God, every manifestation of God, every revelation of God indicates His perfection. When we think of God's holiness, we should think of his utter separation from sin because everything in the creation is affected and influenced by sin. God's holiness isn't an aspect of who He is or what He does, it is the essence of who He is. Every single thing He speaks, thinks, desires, and does is holy in every way.
He is holy in forgiveness.
He is holy in justice.
He is holy in love,
He is holy in mercy.
He is holy in power.
He is holy in sovereignty.
He is holy in wisdom.
He is holy in grace.
He is holy in patience.
He is holy in anger.
He is holy in faithfulness.
He is holy in compassion.
He is holy.
How can we become holy? Holiness only results from a relationship with God by believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and accepting His gift of eternal life. If we haven't placed our faith in God's Son alone to save us from sins, then our pursuit of holiness is futile.
My prayer is that this month, as we read and write these verses about the holiness of God, that we are truly overwhelmed by His holiness and the gift of eternal life that He alone can give.
NOTE: I make all plans 31 days long so that they can be
done any month-not just the month I write them for.
TO PRINT: You can find a copy of the plan in the folder HERE.
