Holiness is a big deal
by Pastor Greg Fowler
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Because you did not trust in me enough to honour me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them (Numbers 20:12).
In my years of ministry, I have found the concept of holiness is quite misunderstood within Christian circles. Almost always, people tell me that holiness is morality or purity. To be holy is to not sin. To be holy is to be an upright person. While there is some truth to that interpretation, it lacks a depth that the ancient people of God understood. In this account of God providing for his people when they were thirsty, we see God levels a charge against Moses of not honouring God as holy. Holiness must be more than just acting morally.
I spent a few years disagreeing with my dad when I was a teenager. This is not uncommon, as many teenagers feel that their parents are out of touch or too restrictive or just not as smart as they are and don’t understand the current world. I was fortunate that my dad was always willing to talk to me about how our worldviews differed. He tried to see my point of view even if he disagreed with it. One thing he would not tolerate was disrespect. He made it clear that the only way we could navigate the difficult teenage years was if I showed him the respect he earned as my dad. The rest we could work out. He warned that without respect, our relationship would shatter, and the road ahead would be very hard for us both.
God is telling Moses the same thing here. The issue doesn’t matter all that much; we can work through that. But when there is no recognition of God’s holiness, the basis of the relationship changes, and the road ahead is very difficult. God’s holiness is more than purity and more than the respect I gave my dad. Holiness is the complete otherness of God from which everything is created and sustained. When we love God’s holiness and desire to be made holy by him, we move ahead, joined by his Spirit.
Lord God, as we navigate the ups and downs of life, may we recognise your holiness, and may you make us holy through your Spirit. Amen.
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