Wholly Holy
In a world that often blurs the lines between right and wrong, the concept of holiness can seem outdated or even irrelevant. Yet, as we delve into the depths of Scripture, particularly the book of Deuteronomy, we find a timeless truth that resonates just as powerfully today as it did thousands of years ago. Holiness is a fundamental principle that undergirds the entire narrative of God's relationship with His people. But what exactly does it mean to be holy, and why is it so crucial?
At its core, holiness is about being set apart, distinct, and pure. It's not merely about following a set of rules or maintaining a facade of righteousness. Rather, it's about reflecting the very nature of God Himself. As we explore Deuteronomy chapter 7, we encounter a God who is wholly committed to the holiness of His covenant people, commanding them to live lives that are wholly holy.
The foundation of this call to holiness lies in God's own nature. He is intrinsically holy – completely other, distinct from His creation, and utterly pure. It has been said that holiness is “the overarching description of His sheer Godness." Throughout Scripture, from Isaiah's vision of seraphim crying "Holy, holy, holy" to John's apocalyptic glimpse of heaven, God's holiness is emphasized above all else.
But here's where it gets truly remarkable: this holy God chooses to make a people holy. He doesn't just demand holiness from afar; He actively works to set apart a people for Himself. In Deuteronomy 7, we see God declaring Israel as His "treasured possession," not because of their inherent greatness or worthiness, but simply because of His love and faithfulness to His promises.
This election, this covenant relationship, and the blessings that flow from it are all acts of God's grace. He doesn't choose Israel because they're the biggest or the best; in fact, He reminds them that they were "the fewest of all peoples." This serves as a powerful reminder that our holiness is never about our own merit, but always about God's gracious choice and transforming work in our lives.
However, this gift of holiness comes with a responsibility. God commands His people to live out their holy calling in very practical ways. In Deuteronomy 7, we see three key aspects of this holy living:
As we reflect on these commands, we might feel overwhelmed. How can we possibly live up to such a high calling? This is where the beauty of the gospel shines through. While Israel ultimately failed to maintain this level of holiness, we see in Jesus the true fulfillment of God's holy people. In the wilderness temptations, Jesus demonstrated the undivided loyalty, unwavering fear of God, and unshakable faith that Israel (and we) could not.
Now, through Christ, we are called to be holy as God is holy. But this isn't about striving in our own strength. It's about coming to Christ in complete dependence, recognizing that His holiness is now credited to us. We still feel the pull of our flesh, the fears that threaten to overwhelm us, and the weakness of our faith. Yet in all of this, we're reminded that there is "grace sufficient for that."
This grace doesn't negate the call to holiness; rather, it empowers us to pursue it. We're called to actively "put to death" the things that draw us away from God, to cultivate a fear of God that overshadows our fear of man, and to nurture even the smallest seed of faith, trusting that God will cause it to grow.
The pursuit of holiness isn't always easy. It often means standing out in a world that values conformity. It requires us to trust God when everything around us seems uncertain. It calls us to a level of devotion that goes against our natural inclinations. But it's in this pursuit that we find our true purpose and identity as God's people.
As we close, let's remember that holiness isn't about perfection, but direction. It's about orienting our entire lives – our thoughts, actions, relationships, and priorities – towards the God who has called us and set us apart. It's about reflecting, however imperfectly, the character of the One who is perfectly holy.
So let us press on, embracing the high calling of holiness, not in our own strength, but in the power of Christ who has made us holy and is continuing to transform us day by day. For in this pursuit, we find not just duty, but delight; not just obligation, but opportunity to know and reflect the very heart of God.
At its core, holiness is about being set apart, distinct, and pure. It's not merely about following a set of rules or maintaining a facade of righteousness. Rather, it's about reflecting the very nature of God Himself. As we explore Deuteronomy chapter 7, we encounter a God who is wholly committed to the holiness of His covenant people, commanding them to live lives that are wholly holy.
The foundation of this call to holiness lies in God's own nature. He is intrinsically holy – completely other, distinct from His creation, and utterly pure. It has been said that holiness is “the overarching description of His sheer Godness." Throughout Scripture, from Isaiah's vision of seraphim crying "Holy, holy, holy" to John's apocalyptic glimpse of heaven, God's holiness is emphasized above all else.
But here's where it gets truly remarkable: this holy God chooses to make a people holy. He doesn't just demand holiness from afar; He actively works to set apart a people for Himself. In Deuteronomy 7, we see God declaring Israel as His "treasured possession," not because of their inherent greatness or worthiness, but simply because of His love and faithfulness to His promises.
This election, this covenant relationship, and the blessings that flow from it are all acts of God's grace. He doesn't choose Israel because they're the biggest or the best; in fact, He reminds them that they were "the fewest of all peoples." This serves as a powerful reminder that our holiness is never about our own merit, but always about God's gracious choice and transforming work in our lives.
However, this gift of holiness comes with a responsibility. God commands His people to live out their holy calling in very practical ways. In Deuteronomy 7, we see three key aspects of this holy living:
- Undivided Fealty: God calls His people to complete loyalty and devotion. There's to be no compromise, no syncretism with the surrounding cultures. This applies not just to religious practices, but to political alliances and even social relationships like marriage. It's a stark reminder that holiness often requires us to stand apart, to be distinctly different from the world around us.
- Unwavering Fear: This isn't about being terrified of God, but rather having a reverent awe that puts all other fears into perspective. When faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges (like conquering nations greater and mightier than themselves), Israel is called to remember God's mighty deeds and trust in His power rather than succumbing to fear of their circumstances.
- Unshakable Faith: Throughout the chapter, we see a beautiful interplay between God's commands and His promises. He calls Israel to action, but continually reminds them that He is the one who will ultimately bring about victory. This requires a faith that steps out in obedience while fully relying on God's power and provision.
As we reflect on these commands, we might feel overwhelmed. How can we possibly live up to such a high calling? This is where the beauty of the gospel shines through. While Israel ultimately failed to maintain this level of holiness, we see in Jesus the true fulfillment of God's holy people. In the wilderness temptations, Jesus demonstrated the undivided loyalty, unwavering fear of God, and unshakable faith that Israel (and we) could not.
Now, through Christ, we are called to be holy as God is holy. But this isn't about striving in our own strength. It's about coming to Christ in complete dependence, recognizing that His holiness is now credited to us. We still feel the pull of our flesh, the fears that threaten to overwhelm us, and the weakness of our faith. Yet in all of this, we're reminded that there is "grace sufficient for that."
This grace doesn't negate the call to holiness; rather, it empowers us to pursue it. We're called to actively "put to death" the things that draw us away from God, to cultivate a fear of God that overshadows our fear of man, and to nurture even the smallest seed of faith, trusting that God will cause it to grow.
The pursuit of holiness isn't always easy. It often means standing out in a world that values conformity. It requires us to trust God when everything around us seems uncertain. It calls us to a level of devotion that goes against our natural inclinations. But it's in this pursuit that we find our true purpose and identity as God's people.
As we close, let's remember that holiness isn't about perfection, but direction. It's about orienting our entire lives – our thoughts, actions, relationships, and priorities – towards the God who has called us and set us apart. It's about reflecting, however imperfectly, the character of the One who is perfectly holy.
So let us press on, embracing the high calling of holiness, not in our own strength, but in the power of Christ who has made us holy and is continuing to transform us day by day. For in this pursuit, we find not just duty, but delight; not just obligation, but opportunity to know and reflect the very heart of God.
You can view the sermon in its entirety below: