Introduction

One of the characteristics of God that man must know and must not disregard is His holiness. This attribute belongs uniquely to God alone. Many may ask, “What does it really mean when we say ‘holy’?” When we look at the meaning of “holiness” or “holy,” it is synonymous with the term set apart or separate. Now we may ask: Set apart from what? Why is God set apart? I see two outlines that explain the holiness of God and its meaning. These are:

 

A. Absolute Otherness

There are Bible verses, such as 1 Samuel 2:2, where Hannah says:

“There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” (RSV)

And also Isaiah 40:25 (RSV), where God Himself challenges the people of Judah:

“To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.”

Now, what do these verses really mean?

They clearly tell us, first, that there is no one like the Lord; He is totally unique. He is completely separate from anything in creation, even from the smallest particles and molecules in this universe.

Second, God cannot be compared to anyone or anything, nor to any other being in the universe. He is utterly incomparable.

This is precisely why our thoughts and ways are different from God’s, as expressed in Isaiah 55:8–9 — because God Himself is absolutely unique and beyond comparison.

I quote from RC Sproul on his book The Holiness of God

"God is the ultimate object of our xenophobia. He is the ultimate stranger. He is the ultimate foreigner. He is holy, and we are not.¹  "

 

B. Absolute Purity

If you remember the story of Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6:6–7, he touched the holy ark of the covenant and instantly died on that same day.

We might ask, Why? Was God unjust in killing Uzzah?

The clear answer is: No! God will never be unjust.

Uzzah died because God is holy. The ark of the covenant carried the very presence of God, and His presence is so pure that even the slightest impurity cannot defile it. Uzzah was a sinner, just like us, but God is perfectly and totally pure. He Himself is the ultimate standard of righteousness.

 

Summary

Since we have discussed the holiness of God, we should now understand that God Himself is separated from anything and anyone in the universe. He is absolutely pure, for He alone is the true standard of righteousness.

However, this presents a problem: we are sinners and unholy. None of us can reach or even touch the glory of God — as Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We need someone who is both God (holy and righteous) and at the same time a man who can sympathize with weak people like us. We need a mediator — and that is none other than Jesus Christ Himself, who lived a perfect life, died and shed His blood on the cross, and rose again after three days.

We need Christ, for He alone can save us!

Repent and trust in Him alone.

 

Reference: 

¹ The Holiness of God by RC Sproul