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Commentary on "The Holiness of God"
Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, January 28, 2012 - Introduction
Overview
All the Bible writers were unanimous in asserting that God exists, so instead of defending His existence, these writers concentrate their efforts on telling us “what God is like” and how we are to relate to Him. Yes, God is loving, forgiving, and caring, but the Lesson emphasizes that foundational to all these characteristics is His holiness. Holiness “undergirds” everything else about God that we value. The lesson asks us, What is God’s holiness and how should we relate to a holy God?
Observations
The Lesson is right in saying that understanding His holiness is foundational to understanding God Himself. We can also agree that we will have the fullest understanding of God by examining both the Old and New Testaments. Apparently, there is a dispute among some Adventist thinkers regarding the authority of the Old Testament. We accept that both testaments are God’s inspired and authoritative word.
It would be helpful to begin the week with a brief definition of holiness. The NET Bible Note states that holiness, “qadosh,” means “set apart from that which is commonplace, special, unique.” There is none more set apart, special, or unique as God. As King, God has moral authority to dictate how His subjects are to live (Isaiah 6). He can command because He is set apart from all His creation as a transcendent, absolutely sovereign being. In Isaiah 6, the prophet saw the Lord on His throne, high and lifted up. His elevated position showed Him above and beyond all other authority and power. He is not subject to any part of His creation, for all of it was created by Him and for Him (Col. 1:16). God is separate from all that is not God.
Notice that when we start describing the meaning of God’s holiness, we begin to describe His other great characteristics as well. We are really trying to define God’s “Godness,” and our words must ultimately fail us. It is foolish to think that words can fully describe the greatness of God, and when we realize this we humbly fall silent in His presence. God cannot be captured with words, even His own words, for they are also part of His creation. For God to show Himself fully, He must come to us in person.
Throughout this Lesson we will take a closer look at what God’s transcendent presence means, for that is at the core of His holiness. We will also look at some very significant difficulties with this Lesson’s theology that diminish God’s sovereignty and transcendence. Without a strong sense of God’s sovereign presence, our holiness will be also diminished. A life of holiness is living life in the presence of the King. My goal this week is to convey the essence of a holy Christian life, “coram Deo,” living before the face of God.
Summary
- Holiness means to be separate, sacred, special, unique. God is holy because He is the ultimate expression of these.
- God has ultimate moral authority to command obedience because He is completely transcendent and sovereign, and not subject to any part of His creation.
- We cannot fully describe God’s holiness. Words, even God’s words, can never capture His being.
- For God to show Himself fully, He must come to us in person.
- Holy living is described in the phrase, “coram Deo,” living before the face of God.
Copyright 2012 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised January 26, 2012. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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