The Superpower of Holiness

Lately, I’ve been processing my reactions to the societal issues impacting the people I love. It’s not easy work. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not always at my best when I’m hit with "here we go again" news. While I often vent to my wife (and I’m grateful for her patience!), I know the most productive thing I can do is consult the Creator.

As I’ve turned to the Bible, one word keeps surfacing: Holy.

In Hebrew, the word is qadosh. It means "separateness" or being set apart from that which is common or unclean. In 1 Peter 1:15, we are given a clear call: “...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.’”

Take a moment to sit with that. Consider these questions:

• What does "Be holy, because I am holy" reveal about God’s character?

• What does this invitation reveal about how He views you?

• Is the holiness call a burden to carry, or a gift to receive?

  
  

Striving to be "set apart" is transformative. Through the Holy Spirit, holiness transports us to a "spiritual vista"—a place where we can view the world’s chaos from God’s everlasting perspective rather than our limited one.

Arthur W. Lindsley, in his article titled, The Holiness of God, shares deeper insight on the subject: 

In Isaiah 6:1-8, we see Isaiah’s vision of God in the temple. He sees the Lord “sitting on a throne lofty and exalted” (vs. 1).  Seraphim surround Him calling to each other, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory” (vs. 3). This triple repetition of a divine attribute is without parallel in the rest of the Bible. Scripture never says that God is “justice, justice, justice” or even “love, love, love,” but it does say that He is “holy, holy, holy.” The Hebrew does not have a grammatical way to express the comparative or the superlative (i.e., holier or holiest). The way it stresses the importance of something is by repetition.

Holiness is a distinction that steadies us. It's a superpower. When we step into His "set-apartness," our reactions to work conflicts, political turmoil, and personal tragedy begin to change. In dark spaces, we become light.

Let’s be that light together this Sunday. Seek holiness and prepare to rise above the chaos and offer comfort, peace, and joy to your church family. That’s a spiritual act of worship.

For His Name. For His Renown. (Is 26:8)

Jeff Dumo, Worship Minister

For deeper study: Check out Art Lindsley’s excellent article, “The Holiness of God,” hosted by the C.S. Lewis Institute: Read more here.