Encountering A Holy God
Encountering a holy God. Isaiah was a prophet of God. What we consider a holy man. But when Isaiah encountered the holiness of God in a vision, his reaction said something different.
Encountering a holy God. You recognize your sinful condition
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (ESV, Isaiah 6:3)
Isaiah chapter six describes a prophetic vision. In the vision, the prophet observes a majestic God, seated on his throne, surrounded by angels who proclaimed the holiness and glory of God. And immediately, Isaiah is overcome with a sense of unworthiness. In other words, he recognizes his sinful condition before a holy God.
Scripture pictures a similar scene when everyone appears before the judgment seat of God.
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books. (ESV, Revelation 20:11-12)
It’s impossible for our minds to grasp the magnitude of this event. All humanity appearing one by one before a perfectly holy God. I imagine two possible responses. Those who immediately recognizes their sinful condition, kneel before the throne, and cry out to Jesus for his grace. And those who make excuses.
Encountering a holy God. You confess your sin to God
Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (ESV, Isaiah 6:5)
Why was Isaiah unworthy? He confesses as “a man of unclean lips.” Recognizing your sinful condition before a holy God is the first step toward reconcilliation with him. But that’s not the end to it. Because…
Christ-followers are to pursue holiness.
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. (ESV, 2 Corinthians 7:1)
The Greek word for “holy” is hagios, which means set apart. It indicates completeness and spiritual maturity rather that perfection. Even though Christ-followers are to imitate Jesus, we won’t attain moral perfection because of sin. Nevertheless, we should demonstrate lives set apart from this world.
Christ-followers are made holy by God
It is poignant the angel purified Isaiah’s lips. The source of his unholiness. In other words, although he was unworthy, God made him so. And he does the same for us. The apostle Paul put it this way:
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (ESV, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
What does this mean? That we should confess our unholiness before God. He will purify and makes us holy through Jesus Christ. And when we encounter him, he will make our holiness and righteousness perfect. And we’ll live with him in heaven forever.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
Want to explore the Christian faith?
Check out: Christianity For The Average Joe
