We discovered in Part 1 that the entire notion of holiness begins with the understanding of God as being entirely distinctive and unique because he is the one and only God. Now in Part 2 I will explain how holiness as a description of God’s nature expands into holiness as a description of personal relationship.
As the Holy One, God can make things holy by bringing them into relationship with himself. God is able graciously to bridge the chasm separating the fallen creation from himself and share his holiness with others. People and places may become holy when God draws near.
For example, the famous burning bush that confronts Moses makes “the ground holy” because Yahweh is there (Exodus 3:5). The land of Canaan
becomes “the holy land” because Yahweh chooses to live there with his people, Israel (Psalm 78:54; Ezekiel 45:1; Zechariah 2:12). Mt. Zion becomes a “holy mountain” because God dwells there in his temple (Psalm 2:6; 3:4; 15:1; Isaiah 57:13; Ezekiel 20:40; Joel 2:1).
The descendants of Abraham become Yahweh’s “holy people” simply because Yahweh chooses to bring them into an intimate, covenant relationship. Yahweh repeatedly says such things to Israel as, “I am Yahweh who makes you holy” (Exodus 31: 13; Leviticus 20:8; 21:8, 15, 23; 22:9, 16, 32).
If you recall the Old Testament storyline, Israel’s holiness certainly did not consist in their being an especially obedient, law-abiding people (cf. Deuteronomy 7:7). Quite the opposite. Israel became holy for one reason and one reason only. The LORD had decided that they and they alone would become his “treasured possession…a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6).
So, first, holiness is God’s alone by nature. But, second, holiness becomes a relational term describing those whom God “sets apart” by making them his own.
In this regard, holiness is a gift of God’s grace, and he alone can decide how people come into and then maintain a relationship with him. No one is free to waltz up to the Creator and say, “Hey, God. I like the way I happen to think about you. I have decided that we will become chums.”
Scripture tells us that such hubris is the road to ruin. When people invent their own ways to approach God, disaster always follows. Remember the crowds of Israelites watching at the base of Mt. Sinai, waiting for Yahweh to speak with Moses? Moses was warned to erect boundary markers to keep the people safe – safe from the dangers of divine holiness.
“Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death…warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish” (Exodus 19:12, 21).
Even when the Holy One reaches out to make contact with sinners like us, God alone decides how that relationship will work. When, where and how may we come close? Only God makes those crucial decisions.
No one approaches God willy-nilly, as they see fit. And anyone who does not follow the Holy One’s instructions for that encounter will pay the price. Remember Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, who decided to get creative one day and mix it up in the way they offered the LORD incense (Leviticus 10:1-3).
They were immediately struck dead, and the LORD reminded everyone watching, “Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.”
Destroying Aaron’s sons was not an act of whimsy or spite on God’s part. Do I blame the fire for burning my hand when I stick it into the flames? God is holy. We may become holy only by answering the call to live with him and following his directions. But he is the only One to decide how, when and where we can get close.
The possibility of relationship with God is his gift to give. It is a gift of grace and mercy. We can only receive it. We cannot bargain over it, reshape it or negotiate new terms.
Thus, Jesus’ words are in lock-step with the graciousness of the Holy One when he says, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). This has always been a hallmark of the Christian gospel. The heavenly Father adopts as his child anyone who surrenders to Jesus Christ, and to him alone, as Lord and Savior. There is no other way available.
This is also why the apostle Paul repeatedly calls the members of his churches, no matter how stubborn and rebellious they may be, “holy ones” or “saints” (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1 for a selection). Today’s “holy nation and kingdom of priests” is the universal church of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:9-10).
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)