God is _________. (fill in the blank)
Most people would fill in the blank with the word Love, but the most accurate word to use would be Holy. This is one of the main roots of the problem of Christians who misunderstand the nature of God.
In Isaiah 6, Isaiah sees Seraphim flying above the throne of God saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” This language is repeated in Revelation chapter 4. These are the only instances in the bible where God is described with the same word three times in a row.
The ancient Hebrew tradition of repeating phrases or words to stress their importance is trebled here. “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts…” Nowhere in the Bible is God referred to as “Love, Love, Love”, “Justice, Justice, Justice” or “Wrath, Wrath, Wrath.” Holiness encompasses all of these qualities along with pleasure, displeasure, sorrow, regret, vengeance, anger, compassion, mercy, graciousness and goodness. None of these attributes contradicts any other. God can be angry, and forgiving at the same time. God can be vengeful and gracious at the same time. God can be and is all of these things and much more. Any attempt by man to label God as something less does Him injustice. Beware when somebody tells you ‘God is Love’ and ignores all his other traits that are clearly described throughout the Bible. Usually they are trying to ignore part of God’s being that goes against their sinful nature.
The concept of holiness is completely misunderstood or, worse, completely disbelieved by many American Christians. Holy, primarily, means set apart. Since God is set apart so far from Man, it is impossible for us to completely comprehend the nature of God, but we can apprehend a part of his being by careful study of the Bible. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. For {as} the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Read your Bible. Get to know the God Who Is. For help with understanding what the bible says, I recommend The Holiness of God or Discovering The God Who Is by R.C. Sproul, or Knowing God by J.I. Packer
