Doctrine Of God 4

Special thanks to Pastor Kent McBay of North Mesa Baptist Church. He taught most of what appears in this article and provided most of the relevant scriptures.

God is Holy.

Dr. James Knox:

Not only is God good, but He is perfectly good. He is a holy God. He is not good simply as measured by the standards of men, but He is goodness itself. He sets all the standards of goodness. All men must be measured by His standards for His standards are the only perfect standards.

First. God is AWAYS holy in character. He is not only holy in the things He does, but He, Himself is holy. His character is eternally fixed.

Psalms 99:5, 9: Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. . . . 9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

God is not subject to temptations of sinful and lustful and wicked things, as is fallen sinful man.

James 1:13: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

It is also noteworthy to remember from our previous lesson that God is unchangeable.

Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Second. God is ALWAYS holy in His conduct. Even the best of men are sinners.

Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

1 John 1:8: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

But God never does wrong.

Psalms 145:7-8: They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

Third. God is not only holy but He loves that which is holy.

Some people argue that God is not holy or altogether good because of His wrath and judgment upon sinful men. They charge God with sin. But the truth is if He were to leave sin unpunished he would not be holy. God*s anger and wrath against sin is a manifestation of His holiness.

Psalms 7:11: God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

Psalms 5:4-5: For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

A perfect holiness demands a perfect love for that which is good and a perfect hatred for that which is evil.

Habakkuk 1:13: Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

Fourth. God sets the standards of right and wrong for the universe.

Psalms 19:7-10: The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Man in his pride does not believe that God*s holy laws for running His universe are right and perfect. As a result, man is continually rebelling against the will of God, and transgressing the commands of God. This brings untold grief, sorrow and suffering upon himself and the world in which he lives.

We should love holiness and hate evil. His holiness is in our future AND in our present.

1 Peter 1:16: Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Psalms 101:2-3: I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Ephesians 4:24: And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

1 Thessalonians 3:13, 4:7: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. . . . 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Titus 2:3: The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

Hebrews 12:10: For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Hebrews 12:14: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

We should see holiness as it is, beautiful.

Psalms 29:2: Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

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