GodReflection: Power Words

It seems audacious to think of using a signpost word that is beyond definition as a word to power my life. Such is the word holy. It is beyond definition because it describes God.

In Old Testament Scripture to get too close to Holy God or to disrespect Him meant death—sometimes death was instantaneous.

In Scripture, book after book, page after page and verse after verse describe holy.

Holiness is only a breath away because God is holy and His holiness fills the earth.

The New Testament letters—after the death and resurrection of Jesus—present a new application of the word. Because of the power of the cleansing blood of Jesus holy begins to describe God’s people.

Called by God to be holy, Christians are to live without stain or blemish. Only the blood of Jesus makes it possible. So, we go through life adding compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience to our daily walk.

To do so I am in need of a daily placard reminding me of God’s call to a holy life. Paul reminds the young man Timothy, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”

The Apostle Peter sets the bar high for God’s call:

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.”

The Letter to the Hebrew Christians reminds me, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

Here is what I think.

There is never a time when it is harder to be holy today than yesterday. You might want to read that sentence again.

Sure there is television, internet, movies, and a thousand other things I can add to my “tough to be holy,” list. The truth is no time since Eden has Satan lack for weapons against the holy. He did quite well with unholy attacks prior to the Industrial Revolution and the Information Age.

I fight Satan and unholy living by living in the sphere of God’s holiness.

Days are holy because they are from God. My possessions are from God. They are holy. My relationships are with people made in the image of God. Therefore, I must handle those relationships in light of the holy.

My family is a gift from God to treat with holy care. God’s grace is a gift. I must treat it with holy awe.

Dear God, It is far too easy to live day after day oblivious to the dew of holiness on my surroundings.  The power word holy reminds me of your “here and now” presence. The Psalmist got it right. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

I want to be tuned-in to holy.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on the Power Word Holy.

Gary@GodReflection.org